Harbor Islands- Long Island in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Parade Ground
Fort Warren-Georges Island
— Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area —
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010
1. Parade Ground Marker
Inscription.
Parade Ground. Fort Warren-Georges Island. From the beginning, Fort Warren’s heart was the six-acre parade ground. When the Civil War broke out soon after the fort was completed, the area was still covered in construction debris. Newly enlisted Massachusetts regiments cleaned it up as they trained. To increase morale, they sang as they worked, eventually coming up with the famous lyrics for “John Brown’s Body.” Since that time the parade ground has been used for drills, inspection, parades and calisthenics, as well as off-duty sports such as baseball and football. The oldest maples and horse chestnuts on the perimeter date back to the 1880s.
(Inscription below the photo) Soldiers drill in the early morning on the parade ground during the Second World War. In the background is the fort’s Front II-the northernmost of the five interior walls (visible today on left, continuing right to corner.)
From the beginning, Fort Warren’s heart was the six-acre parade ground. When the Civil War broke out soon after the fort was completed, the area was still covered in construction debris. Newly enlisted Massachusetts regiments cleaned it up as they trained. To increase morale, they sang as they worked, eventually coming up with the famous lyrics for “John Brown’s Body.” Since that time the parade ground has been used for drills, inspection, parades and calisthenics, as well as off-duty sports such as baseball and football. The oldest maples and horse chestnuts on the perimeter date back to the 1880s.
(Inscription below the photo) Soldiers drill in the early morning on the parade ground during the Second World War. In the background is the fort’s Front II-the northernmost of the five interior walls (visible today on left, continuing right to corner.)
Location. 42° 19.218′ N, 70° 55.638′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is on Harbor Islands- Long Island. Marker can be reached from Georges Island. Marker is only accessible by boat. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hull MA 02045, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance
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of this marker. Political Prisoners (within shouting distance of this marker); Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); Bastion C (within shouting distance of this marker); Enlisted Men (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mess (within shouting distance of this marker); Powder Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); The "Dark Arch" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Warren (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010
2. Parade Ground Marker
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010
3. Parade Ground Marker
Welcome to Fort Warren-It was built more than 150 years ago-a fort on an island, a key to the coastal defense of a new nation.
It was transformed into a prison during the Civil War, housing hundreds of Confederates within its granite walls, ordinary soldiers and high level politicians alike. It served our nation for more than 85 year as a vigilant sentinel in the harbor. It made over into a park is an extraordinary island setting. Welcome to Fort Warren, on Georges Island. Welcome to the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010
4. Parade Ground Marker
National Park Passport Cancellation Stamp
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 493 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on September 9, 2017, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
