My Visit to Fort Worden: A Retired US Military Base in the Pacific Northwest

Happy 4^th of July! Do you have anything special planned for today? 

Last week I spent two nights at Fort Worden, a retired US Army Base near Port Townsend, Washington.  I thought I would share some of my photos from this lovely historical spot located the beautiful Pacific Northwest. 

Here's a shot below Battery Kinzie.  The ammunition was stored below the battery, under thick layers of concrete that protected it from attack.    

Fort Worden is located at the entrance to Puget Sound, right next to Port Townsend.  It was created in the early 1900s, along with neighboring Fort Casey on Whidbey Island and Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island, to fortify Puget Sound from attack. (Seattle is located farther south in Puget Sound.)  Fort Worden was an active military base until the 1950s.  It is now a Historical State Park.  

Here's Battery Kinzie.  Doesn't it just look AWESOME???

Fort Worden is located on over 400 acres of land and includes beautiful beaches, scenic overlooks, and wooded areas with paths for hiking. 

All of the original batteries are still in tact and make for fascinating exploration! 

Scenic view of Fort Worden and nearby Port Townsend.  This photo's taken from Artillery Hill, where most of the batteries are located.   

Atop a battery on Artillery Hill in Fort Worden. Back when this was an active military base, the disappearing cannons were located in the partially-visible circular pit area on the right side of the photo, which is now covered with grass.  

Although well-equipped with sophisticated artillery, including disappearing guns that could accurately hit a target several miles away, Fort Worden never engaged in warfare.  The disappearing guns earned their name because they could only be seen when firing.

The interior of many of the Fort's buildings are fertile ground for graffiti artists.  

Some rifles from the Fort Worden Historical Museum.  These were used by the US Military in WWII.  

The Fort Worden cemetery, located at the SW corner of the fort.  

No one died from warfare at Fort Worden--they never engaged with an enemy.  They did, however have a sizable population--as many as 4,200 people lived on Fort Worden at one point in WWII!  And so people died from natural causes--the flu and what-not.  

A double rainbow, seen from the parade of the retired military base.  This parade ground made it into the classic movie "An Officer and a Gentlemen".  Many of the scenes from the movie were filmed at Fort Worden.

We had some good karma and saw a beautiful double rainbow the night we arrived!

Two otters crossed my path as we headed to the beach one morning.  

Fort Worden isn't at all lacking in wildlife.  Deer regular grazed on the parade ground outside our house.  They were very tame and used to people.  I also spotted a bunny, and here are two otters crossing in front of me on my way to the beach one morning! 

All in all, Fort Worden is a wonderful natural escape with fascinating history to peruse.  

Have you ever been to an old military fort?  Do you like to learn about US history?