Fort Mifflin on the Delaware
Digital Photos by S. Fox, Chadds Ford, PA, November 17, 2001
Kodak DX3500
The North Gate
You can see the thickness of the earth works and the walls from this view through the tunnel passageway of the North Gate. The north brick wall, protected by the two bastions at either end of the north wall, was not part of the original fort. It was built during the reconstruction that began in 1778 when the British move north from Philadelphia. Reconstruction wasn't completed until 1798 under the direction of French architect and engineer Pierre charles L'Enfant who had been assisgned the task by the Secretary of War.
By 1798, six bombproof casements were added to the fort as well as soldiers barracks and the Citadel in the center of the parade ground. Earthern ramparts held more than 25 cannons and eight gun batteries were position on the river bank. The reconstructed fort, was built with salvaged materials from the 18th century structure and the configuration of the fort is true to the original plans.
The yellow brick building on the right is the Quartermaster's store built in 1843. The building on the left of the photo is the soldier's barracks. It was built about 1802 with covered pizzzas.
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