Fort Severn

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Fort Severn
Annapolis, Maryland
Fort Severn in 1853
Type	Fortification
Coordinates	38°58′54″N 76°28′52″W / 38.9818°N 76.4812°W / 38.9818; -76.4812Coordinates: 38°58′54″N 76°28′52″W / 38.9818°N 76.4812°W / 38.9818; -76.4812
Built	1808
In use	1808-1845
Demolished	1909
Current owner	United States Naval Academy
Controlled by	United States

Fort Severn is one of three original military bases that now make up the United States Naval Academy. It was built in 1808 on the same location of an earlier Revolutionary War fort from 1776. Fort Severn was a more substantial fort than the original, but was never used in action. It was acquired by the United States Naval Academy on October 19, 1845, and remained there as a school building until it was demolished in 1909.

[edit] History

Fort Severn was constructed in 1808 on a 10-acre lot in Annapolis, Maryland. Its purpose was to defend Annapolis from possible British attacks during and before the War of 1812. Located on Windmill Point, Fort Severn's position offered protection to Annapolis's harbor, which could have been a key target of the British forces. Though it was thought Annapolis would be attacked, no conflict occurred in the area during the War, and Fort Severn was unused.

Soldiers continued to inhabit the fort until it was transferred to the Naval Academy in 1845 after an agreement with Secretary of War William L. Marcy and Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft. It was then turned into a schoolhouse for young naval recruits and midshipmen. After more than 100 years of being in use, the original Fort Severn was demolished in 1909 due to its deteriorating structure. On March 28, 1977, a plaque in remembrance of the original fort was placed by the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter.

[edit] External links

• DAR Fort Severn website

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