Category Archives: fort

One of America’s most remote national parks

Posted on October 8, 2022 by Tim

By guest blogger Jay Blossom Hurricane Ian cut a catastrophic path across Florida on September 28, 2022, causing at least 109 deaths and resulting in perhaps $47 billion in damage. But before its landfall near Fort Myers, the storm had … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, Civil War, fort, International, national park | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

America’s worst naval disaster?

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Tim

Imagine a quintessential Maine seacoast town. What does it look like? Shaded streets, white buildings, a green in the middle? Many Maine coastal villages have these features, but few boast such a fascinating history as Castine. Situated on a narrow … Continue reading →

Posted in 17th century, 18th century, American Revolution, city/town, fort, military | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

O, say can you see? Stories of a national anthem

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Tim

On September 13 and 14 Americans will commemorate the bicentennial of the Battle of Baltimore, a mostly forgotten battle in U.S. history… except that it gave the United States its national anthem. The song is a stirring tribute of the battle by … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, city/town, fort, house, military, national park | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Think you know American history? You may be wrong.

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Tim

In honor of American Independence Day, enjoy these 4 myths, as told in A Grizzly in the Mail and Other Adventures in American History 1)      Betsy Ross sewed the first flag. She sits with the Founding Fathers on the Fourth … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th century, 19th century, exploration, fort | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The Roman wall of Chichester

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Tim

I love walled cities and have admired walls and walked on walls in various cities around the world, including Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena in Italy, Ronda in Spain and York in England.  York’s walls are considered the longest and … Continue reading →

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Jamestown’s foothold in the New World

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Tim

The three ships look surprisingly small for an ocean voyage. Even smaller when you consider that 104 passengers were crammed into them for five months. Reproductions of the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery sit at anchor in a cove of the James … Continue reading →

Posted in 17th century, exploration, fort, national park, Native American, pre-America | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

A fort in an idyllic place

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Tim

Had I been a soldier in the early 1900’s, I would have begged to be stationed at Fort Casey on Whidbey Island, about 30 miles north of Seattle. This idyllic island (I will try not to keep repeating that adjective), … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, fort, military, West | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Pilgrims and Wampanoags

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Tim

Plimoth Plantation, a  re-created 1620’s English village, sits on a hillside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean a few miles from Plymouth, Massachusetts, site of the original 1620 settlement. (Plimoth is the spelling used most frequently by Governor William Bradford in his … Continue reading →

Posted in 17th century, fort, Native American | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Forts of San Juan

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Tim

For those of us in cold climes, this time of year our thoughts often turn to sunny, warm beaches. My thoughts have turned to Puerto Rico, the only place I’ve visited in the Caribbean. My mistake was to visit in … Continue reading →

Posted in 16th century, 17th century, fort, International, military, national park | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Civil War Christmas at Fort Ward

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Tim

I recently stopped by my local historic site to visit a Civil War encampment, with a Christmas theme. Wasn’t really sure what that meant. Fort Ward sits just outside of Alexandria, Virginia and was one of 68 major earthwork forts … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, Civil War, fort, military | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments