Fort Mott State Park: A Historical Fortress on the Delaware

Fort Mott State Park, situated on the Delaware River in Pennsville, New Jersey, offers a unique blend of historical, cultural, and recreational activities. Originally built in the late 19th century as part of a three-fort coastal defense system, it was designed to protect the Delaware River and its harbors. The other two forts in the system were Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island and Fort DuPont in Delaware City, Delaware. Named in 1897 to honor Major General Gershom Mott, a veteran of the Mexican-American and Civil Wars, Fort Mott was a self-contained military community with over 30 buildings. These included barracks, officer's housing, a hospital, a library, and even a school. Troops were stationed here from 1897 to 1922. Advances in military technology rendered the fort obsolete by the end of World War II. New Jersey acquired the site in 1947, opening it to the public as a state park in 1951. Today, visitors can explore the old gun batteries, following interpretive signs detailing the fort's history. The park museum features exhibits on Fort Mott's role in history and the technology used to defend the river. The Delaware River offers shoreline spots for walking and picnicking. A seasonal ferry service provides access to Fort Delaware and Delaware City. The park also features the Finn's Point National Cemetery, the final resting place for Confederate prisoners of war and their Union guards.