Near Fort Washington in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Main Gateway
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
1. Main Gateway Marker
Two sets of gates protected the main entrance, or sally port. During the improvements made in the 1840s the drawbridge was added to make the approach to the gates more difficult.The drawbridge, operated by a unique system of iron counterweights and chains, was designated to close rapidly in case of land attack.
(Sidebar): The entrance was also guarded by cannon. Thirteen guns, mounted on the parapet, covered the approaches to the gateway. To protect the area next to the wall and gateway, two casemates (gun rooms) were built into the wall flanking the bridge.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.
Location. 38° 42.7′ N, 77° 2.042′ W. Marker is near Fort Washington, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker can be reached from Fort Washington Road, on the right when traveling south. Located in Fort Washington Park, at the entrance to the fort. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13551 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington MD 20744, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Northwest Demi-Bastion (a few steps from this marker);
this page online
More about this marker. The markers displays a line drawing of the drawbridge and gate workings. In the sidebar is an plan of the fort, indicating the location of the gateway and the guns covering the entrance.
Also see . . . Fort Washington. National Park Service site. (Submitted on May 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
2. Main Gateway Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
3. Drawbridge and Gateway to the Fort
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
4. Sally Port
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
5. Drawbridge Mechanisms
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008
6. Casemate Covering the Drawbridge and Sally Port
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
7. Drawbridge Mechanism
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
8. You are Here
The entrance was also guarded by cannon. Thirteen guns, mounted on the parapet, covered the approaches to the gateway. To protect the area next to the wall and gateway, two casemates (gun rooms) were built into the wall flanking the bridge.Close-up of map on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
9. Main Gate Door
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 7, 2013
10. Roller for Drawbrige Chain
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,227 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on November 30, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 28, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on November 30, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
