Pea Patch Island, also known as Fort Delaware State Park, is a 100-acre island located in the middle of the Delaware River, just south of Delaware City, Delaware, United States. It is easily visible from the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
The island was originally settled by the Lenape Native American tribe, who used it for fishing and hunting. In 1638, the island was first explored by Swedish colonists and named "Sandhuken" (meaning "sandy point") because of its sandy beaches and dunes.
During the American Revolutionary War, Pea Patch Island was used as a prison for British soldiers captured by the Continental Army. In 1777, the British attempted to retake the island but were unsuccessful. After the war, Pea Patch Island was abandoned until 1813 when the American government began constructing Fort Delaware.
Fort Delaware
The construction of Fort Delaware began in 1813 and was completed in 1859, at a cost of over 2 million dollars. It was the largest and most expensive fort ever built in the United States at the time. The Fort was built on a pentagonal shape, with five sides and five bastions. The walls of the fort were made of granite, and they were up to 3 feet thick.
The fort was armed with over 100 guns and housed a garrison of over 1,000 soldiers. The fort was used as a prison during the Civil War and Spanish-American War. During World War I, the fort was used to train soldiers and as a hospital. After World War I, the fort was abandoned and fell into disrepair.
Restoration
In 1951, Fort Delaware was designated as a National Historic Landmark and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. In 2005, the government of Delaware began a project to restore the fort. The restoration was completed in 2008 and the fort was opened to the public as a state park.
Today
The Fort Delaware State Park is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can learn about the history of the fort and the Civil War by touring the fort, watching audiovisual programs, and reading exhibits. The park also offers hiking, fishing, boating, and camping.
