Story By Argent Fields

Originally called Fort Island Battery, and also known as Mud Island Fort, Fort Mifflin was commissioned in 1771.

British engineer John Montresor was commissioned to begin construction for a fort at the southern edge of Philadelphia on the Delaware River, originally constructed to protect the city from invasion. As civil unrest grew construction of the fort was ceased in 1774.

Following the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin headed a committee to provide for the defense of Philadelphia. At that time the British had only completed the granite southern and eastern walls of Fort Mifflin. A fort, known as Fort Mercer, was constructed across the Delaware River from Fort Mifflin. "Chevaux de frise," (obstacles) were sunk in the river to slow the progress of enemy ships.

After the defeat of Washington at the Battle of Brandywine, the British took control of Philadelphia in September of 1777. The British forces then laid siege to Fort Mifflin and Fort Mercer in early October, 1777. The siege which lasted until the middle of November, destroyed much of Fort Mifflin. During the siege, 400 soldiers held off over 2,000 British troops and 250 ships until November 10, when the British intensified their assault, launching an incessant barrage of cannonballs into the Fort. In the end, the American troops were forced out, Nov. 15, 1777. Their stand allowed George Washington to retreat to Valley Forge.

During the American Revolutionary War the fort was a centerpiece of the British conquest of Philadelphia. The name "Fort Mifflin" became official in 1795 and it was rebuilt 1798-1800, under the presidency of John Adams. according to L'Enfant's design and enlarged in the 19th century.

Many of the buildings standing today are holdovers from the post-1795 construction. The white stone walls date to the pre-revolutionary war British construction. Evidence of the British 1777 bombardment can be seen in its pock marked damage to the face of the stone walls . During the Civil War, Fort Mifflin was used to house Confederate prisoners of war, and Union soldiers and civilians accused of breaking the law. The Fort was a U.S. military post until the 1950s. In 1962, Fort Mifflin was deeded back to the City of Philadelphia.

It is the site of the greatest bombardment of the American Revolution.
Fort Mifflin was built by the British in 1771 and destroyed by the British in 1777.
During the Civil War, Seth Eastmen, the great American western frontier painter was the Fort's Commandant.

The Commandment's House is the only single dwelling north of the Mason Dixon Line designed by Pierre Charles L'Enfant who designed Washington D.C.
Fort Mifflin boasts the last remaining open faced artillery shed in the nation.
When it closed, Fort Mifflin was the oldest fort in continuous use in the nation (1771 to 1954).

The British Engineer John Montresor both designed and initially oversaw construction of the fort, and was later assigned the duty to siege the fort in 1777.

Fort Mifflin: Olde Fort Mifflin Historical Society www.fortmifflin.com

Fort Mifflin Ghost Tours

The longest reported ghost is that of the "Screaming Woman,' Elizabeth Pratt. It is said that the officer's wife hung herself after her daughter died of typhoid fever, and her screams still haunt the Officer's Quarters.

The blacksmith shop is supposedly still haunted by Jacob, the resident worker who had many problems with the doors. Then there is the very helpful guide in revolutionary garb said to be found near the power magazine. Apparently, he will give you a top-notch tour of the fort, if you don't mind a ghost guide.

Finally, the best known haunting is that of Billy Howe in casemate 5. He was a prisoner during the Civil War, convicted of murder and hung in the courtyard.

A few years ago Rodney Anonymous of The Dead Milkmen Fame, attempted to spend the night in casemate 5. He detailed his experiences on his web site in a section entitled "A Bad Night at Fort Mifflin." He includes some audio, as do the folks at Moorestown Ghost Research, who visited the fort three times.

A Bad Night at Fort Mifflin ... of the Philadelphia Ghost Hunters Alliance talking about the various ghosts that supposedly haunt the fort along with clips ...

www.rodneyanonymous.com/radio/mifflin.html

Ft. Mifflin ghost hunters get spooked themselves - Philadelp...
Fort Mifflin is said to be haunted by Eliza-beth Pratt, whose screams are supposedly heard at night, and Billy Howe, aka "The Man Without a Face," who was ...

www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2004/05...

Interestingly enough, this casemate 5 was hidden for over 100 years and just discovered last year by the caretaker!

Fort Mifflin conducts a number of family events throughout its operating season. Group Tours can be arranged throughout the entire year. This is a great place for a child's birthday party, and private groups can also rent the facilities for their functions. The site opens April 1 for tours, and there are special ghost tours every year around Halloween.