This Fascinating Rhode Island Fort Has Been Abandoned And Reclaimed By Nature For Decades Now
By Beth Price-Williams|Published February 08, 2023
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Have you ever passed an abandoned home or building and just stopped for a moment? Maybe you wondered what this forgotten place once looked like, what the people who lived or worked there were like, and what happened that this building became little more than a piece of history, slowly being reclaimed by nature. Abandoned places often set our imaginations on fire. Get an up-close look at an abandoned fort in Rhode Island that boasts a rich history but, like so much, has been lost to time.
Rhode Islanders and visitors have been flocking to Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown since 1972 when it became a popular spot for hiking, boating, and picnicking.
The compact state park offers sensational views of Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor. Fans of boating come here to watch a variety of boating events, including America's Cup races.
The state park is small, spanning just 61.5 acres, but it boasts a full menu of fun and is a fascinating piece of the past. After all, you can explore what remains of Fort Wetherill.
Fort Wetherill State Park is located across the water from Fort Adams State Park.
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With 100-foot cliffs that offer stellar views of the water, the land that now houses the state park was an ideal location for a fort, providing a strategic defensive position.
Fort Wetherill's history dates back to the Revolutionary War and was originally known as Fort Dumpling. It was later changed to Wetherhill in honor of a local named Alexander, a captain who was killed during the Spanish-American War.
The fort was reinforced and used for training during World War Il before going dormant after the war. In 1970, it was officially named a surplus facility and eventually was purchased by Rhode Island for use as a state park.
If you're up for an adventure, slip on a pair of hiking shoes and follow the nearly one-mile trail that leads to the abandoned fort. Check out the many rooms left abandoned.
Be prepared for somewhat of a challenge as the path isn't usually maintained and can be overgrown. If you can deal with that, you're in for a unique experience.
Have you explored this Rhode Island fort? What did you think? Share your experience in the comments! If you want to walk among ghosts (if you’re lucky), plan a visit to the most haunted mansion in Rhode Island (and maybe even in the country).
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