Fort Mifflin -
Historic Site
Fort Mifflin, originally built in 1771 by the British, is the site of the largest bombardment in North America. In 1777, the British Navy shot over 10,000 cannonballs at the Fort, causing the Continental Army who occupied the fort to flee. The claim is that although the colonists lost the fort, they were able to delay the British takeover and the resupply of Howe's army, which had recently taken over Philadelphia. This delay forced Howe to halt his march after Washington, giving Washington time to regroup at Valley Forge. After which the fort became known as "Valiant Defender of the Delaware".
The fort was rebuilt in 1798 as one of our coastal defenses and remained active until the Korean War. The fort was most known for it's role as a Confederate Prison during the Civil War. Many of the ghost tales originate from those days. Most notably is the recent discovery of Casement 11 (an underground holding cell). The cell was discovered during routine lawn care (the lawn mower fell into a hole) and had been buried for at least 150 years. The show Ghosthunters was even brought in to check for spirits.
Today Fort Mifflin is a quiet and mostly undiscovered treasure. When you first arrive you see a few run down historic buildings, but don't be discouraged. The real treasures are all the spooky underground casements - many dark and quite creepy. Be sure to bring your flashlight. There are special events including many types of reenactments from the different wars along with a 'Sleep with the Ghosts' event where you can actually spend the night at the fort and roam around all night at your leisure. More about Fort Mifflin..
