Fortifications

The greatly eroded parapets of Fort Dupont can be found on Alabama Ave. SE within the confines of one of the largest public parks in the District of Columbia. The fort, named for Rear Admiral Samuel Francis DuPont, was built in 1861-62 on land belonging to Michael Canton and his family.

Military engineers advised abandoning this small hexagonal fort and improving larger forts in the area. It remained in operation, however, serving as a beacon of safety for countless runaway slaves intent on joining the many contraband camps growing up around many of the garrisons defending Washington City.

In 1865, the land reverted to its original owner who received one dollar and five quartermaster structures and some of the fort’s wood on the site as payment. In the 1930s, the National Capital Planning Commission acquired the old fort and surrounding land for an 18-hole golf course. Later, golf gave way to a sports complex that now includes tennis and basketball courts, athletic fields, and a softball diamond. An indoor ice rink offers skating all winter and outdoor concerts can be heard in the park during the summer.