Fort Stevens: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Rock Creek Park - Fort Circle Park - North, National Park Service

NPS National Capital Regional Office; McMillen, Frances

Fort Stevens, Reservation 358, is a 4.37 acre park located in NW Washington, DC, 6 miles north of the U.S. Capitol and 2 miles south of Silver Spring, MD. Fort Stevens is a component landscape of Rock Creek Park and is bordered on the north by Rittenhouse St., on the south by Quackenbos St., on the west by 13th St., and Piney Branch Rd. on the east. Fort Stevens is listed on the National Register as part of the 1974 Civil War Fort Sites nomination and the 1977 Defenses of Washington revision. The period of significance includes the years 1866 and 1900-1938, which recognizes the Fort Stevens contribution to Civil War battlefield preservation and memorialization efforts that took place during the early 20th century, the fort’s place in the development of parks and recreation in Washington, and the CCC partial reconstruction of the fort from 1936 to 1938. Fort Stevens was one of the 68 forts built as a defensive ring around Washington at the start of the Civil War in 1861 and was known initially as Fort Massachusetts. Fort Stevens guarded present day Georgia Avenue, which was one of the major routes into the capital from the north. On July 11th and 12th, fighting broke out between Union and Confederate troops at Fort Stevens, and became the only battle to take place within Washington during the Civil War. During the battle, President Lincoln visited the fort and observed the fighting, and became the second sitting president to come under enemy fire. The Union successfully fought off the Confederates and drove them towards Maryland. The fort remained in use until 1866, and for many years following the war, the remains of Fort Stevens were neglected. In 1900, veterans and area residents formed the Fort Stevens-Lincoln National Military Park Association to advocate for the preservation of the fort and the creation of a park on the site. Their efforts coincided with the work of other veterans and citizens working towards the preservation and commemoration of Civil War battlefields. In 1924, the National Capital Parks Commission (NCPC), which was established to develop and improve park facilities in Washington, received their first appropriation to purchase land for the creation of the drive. With the passage of the 1930 Capper-Crampton Act, much of the Fort Stevens and Fort Drive properties were purchased. By 1936, all the property that would become Fort Stevens Park was purchased and transferred to the NPS. In 1936-8, the CCC reconstructed the NW section of the fort, including one of the magazines, the parapet, gun platforms and the ditch. Beginning in the early 20th century, development encroached on the fort and altered much of the Civil War landscape. At the time of the CCC reconstruction in the 1930s, a remnant of the earthworks still existed at the fort, but little else remained from the war era. The CCC incorporated the 1911 monument into the recreated parapet and left the DUVCW in place, maintaining the commemorative element of the landscape. Overall, Fort Stevens is in good condition. Erosion has affected sections of the parapet and magazine and continues to be a concern, but these features retain their historic character. Recent rehabilitation work repaired or replaced, with compatible materials, damaged and deteriorating features. Fort Stevens retains integrity from the 1900 to 1938 period of significance and evokes the historic period. Fort Stevens displays the seven aspects that determine integrity as defined by the National Register of Historic Places through the retention of landscape characteristics and features.

Fort Stevens: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Rock Creek Park - Fort Circle Park - North, National Park Service

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