Fort Miles Historic Area: A WWII Coastal Defense

Nestled within Cape Henlopen State Park, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, lies the Fort Miles Historic Area, a significant reminder of America's coastal defenses during World War II. Built in the early 1940s, Fort Miles played a vital role in deterring German attacks on key U.S. infrastructure and ports, including Philadelphia and Wilmington. The fort's strategic location allowed it to protect the Delaware Bay and River, safeguarding domestic shipping from enemy fire. Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved remnants of this historic military installation. The central features of the museum include Battery 519, six barracks buildings, a fire control tower, an orientation building, and the Fort Miles Artillery Park. Battery 519, a 15,000-square-foot underground bunker, houses museum exhibits and artifacts that bring to life Delaware's wartime stories. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. The museum's collection provides a unique opportunity to experience firsthand how technology from an earlier day was used to defend the homeland. Current exhibits include the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S.S. Arizona Relic, Stories of the 261st Coast Artillery, Civilian Service and the 21st Mine Planters, and the artwork of the Battery 519 Gallery. Visitors can take guided tours led by uniformed interpreters, climb a concrete spotting tower offering scenic vistas, and wander through the artillery park to learn about the different artillery pieces that helped protect the entrance of the Delaware Bay. The Fort Miles Museum tells the story of the fort, a key piece of the nation's coastal defense, from World War II through the early 1970s.