Fishermen's Memorial State Park

Story

Fishermen's Memorial State Park is a 91acre Rhode Island state park and campground on Point Judith in the town of Narragansett. The park occupies a portion of the former Fort Nathaniel Greene, named after Rhode Island native and Revolutionary War general Nathaniel Greene.HistoryDuring World War II, Fort Greene, a 270acre defensive facility, was constructed as part of a series of coastal defenses around Narragansett Bay. The Battery Hamilton area was heavily fortified with 16-inch guns capable of reaching 26 miles out to sea. After the fort was decommissioned following World War II, the state of Rhode Island began purchasing the land for use as a state park. The name Fishermen's Memorial was chosen to honor all Narragansett-area fishermen, both commercial and sport. In 1970, the former fort opened as a campground. A former military fire control tower serves as park headquarters. An Army Reserve facility still occupies part of the site. The park is divided into two parcels, formerly the west and south reservations of Fort Greene. The former west reservation is the campground, and includes Battery 109, a massive concrete and earth emplacement intended for two 16-inch guns that was never armed. The former south reservation is near Point Judith Light on the ocean, and includes Battery 211, a bunker that supported two 6-inch guns. The Point Judith Fishermen's Memorial is located on one of the gun positions of Battery 211. A "Panama mount" for a 155 mm gun is on the beach in front of Battery 211. Paths are maintained to the tops of the bunkers for Battery 109 and Battery 211, which have excellent views. However, no interpretation of the military facilities in the park is provided.