Fort Andrews
Encyclopedia
Fort Andrew was a six-gun Patriot fort also known as Gurnet Fort. Once located at Gurnet Point, it was rebuilt in 1808, and again in 1863 and was renamed. It became a federal fort in 1869. The reservation was sold in 1926 and became private property. A World War II
fire-control tower was built on the parapet of the old fort. The Plymouth (Gurnet Point) Lighthouse is also here.
, is located at the extreme end of Duxbury Beach
(Gurnet Point), approximately 35 miles (56 km) southeast of Boston. In 1927, the War Department transferred the property to the U.S. Department of Treasury for use as a US Coast Guard Station. The use of the site prior to the government's acquisition is unknown, but it currently contains a residential area, a Coast Guard facility, and a lighthouse.
Researchers uncovered no information pertaining to the facilities and activities of Fort Andrew prior to the Civil War. In 1863, the military rebuilt the fort and placed seven coastal defense weapons at Fort Andrew. By 30 June 1867, the fort possessed an additional light field piece installed on a temporary firing platform, which was removed by April 1880. A records search uncovered no information pertaining to the operation of the fort after 1880. The INPR indicates that the Department of Treasury acquired the land in 1927, ending its use by the War Department, except for a 1.7 acres (6,879.7 m²) tract that the Department of Defense used for a fire control station (Site No. D01MA0510).
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
fire-control tower was built on the parapet of the old fort. The Plymouth (Gurnet Point) Lighthouse is also here.
Development
Through two separate transactions, one in 1808 and another in 1870, the government acquired the 11.9 acres (48,157.6 m²) that constituted Fort Andrew. The site, which protected Plymouth HarborPlymouth Harbor
Plymouth Harbor is the name of a harbor located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, a town in the South Shore region of the state. It is part of the larger Plymouth Bay. Historically, Plymouth Harbor was the site of anchorage of the Mayflower where the Pilgrims offloaded to establish a permanent...
, is located at the extreme end of Duxbury Beach
Duxbury Beach
Duxbury Beach is a beach in the town of Duxbury, Massachusetts. It is four miles long and is accessed by the Powder Point Bridge from Duxbury.It is a barrier beach, defined by sand dunes, rosa ragusa, and beach grass...
(Gurnet Point), approximately 35 miles (56 km) southeast of Boston. In 1927, the War Department transferred the property to the U.S. Department of Treasury for use as a US Coast Guard Station. The use of the site prior to the government's acquisition is unknown, but it currently contains a residential area, a Coast Guard facility, and a lighthouse.
Researchers uncovered no information pertaining to the facilities and activities of Fort Andrew prior to the Civil War. In 1863, the military rebuilt the fort and placed seven coastal defense weapons at Fort Andrew. By 30 June 1867, the fort possessed an additional light field piece installed on a temporary firing platform, which was removed by April 1880. A records search uncovered no information pertaining to the operation of the fort after 1880. The INPR indicates that the Department of Treasury acquired the land in 1927, ending its use by the War Department, except for a 1.7 acres (6,879.7 m²) tract that the Department of Defense used for a fire control station (Site No. D01MA0510).