Sandy Hook in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Stone Fort
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 22, 2007
1. Stone Fort Marker
To command Maryland Heights' highest point, the Federals built this massive foundation, called the Stone Fort in the winter of 1862-63.
Union engineers designed this defense as an infantry blockhouse to ward off Confederate attack along the crest. The Northerners completed the blockhouse foundation but never constructed a superstructure. By September, 1863, the Union garrison had transformed the Stone Fort into a commissary and storage area.
During an inspection by Brig. Gen. Max Weber in April 1864, the Stone Fort was described as "surrounded with a wall of solid stone, containing rations for five thousand men, [and] only covered with boards." - a practical but unfitting use for this imposing structure.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1864.
Location. 39° 20.542′ N, 77° 43.12′ W. Marker is in Sandy Hook, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from Sandy Hook Road. Located on the Stone Fort Trail loop of Maryland Heights in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Knoxville MD 21758, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Interior Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Exterior Fort (about 500 feet away, measured
this page online
More about this marker. On the lower left is "The original plan for the Stone Fort, October 10, 1862, designed by military engineer Lt. Charles Suter."
In the upper right is a diagram of the fort from recent excavations, "In plan view, as drawn by archaeologists, the Stone Fort consists of a rectangular stone foundation, 100' x 40', flanked by two stone bastions. The soil-filled fort contrasts with the exposed bedrock along the nearby crest.
On the lower right is "An 1863 sketch, by George Kaiser, of the military fortifications around Harpers Ferry. The Stone Fort complex is identified as a red rectangle, dominating the crest of Maryland Heights."
Regarding Stone Fort.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 22, 2007
2. Archaeological Plan of the Fort
The left edge of the plan is the north side of the fort.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 22, 2007
3. Original Plan for Stone Fort
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 22, 2007
4. Defenses of Harpers Ferry
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 22, 2007
5. Stone Fort Marker
The marker stands next to a section of the east wall of the fort.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 22, 2007
6. Apex of the North Bastion of Stone Fort
Most of the remaining sections of the fort are simply dry laid stone.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 18, 2020
7. East Wall of the Stone Fort
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 18, 2020
8. View From Below the East Wall at the Stone Fort
Even without the construction of the massive stone walls at the summit, the fort's position would prove exceedingly challenging to attack.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,210 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7, 8. submitted on March 12, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
