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Welcome to Fort Miles, home of the 261st Coast Artillery.  Built in 1941, the massive coastal fortification was designed to defend assets along the Delaware River and Bay such as oil refineries and factories, as well as the city of Philadelphia during the Second World War.  It was one of the largest and most heavily armed coastal fortifications ever built, and it was home to some of the finest cosmoliners on the east coast of the United States.

Today Delaware State Parks is working to restore a portion of that facility so that visitors may experience what took place here.

About FortMiles.org

Next Event

If it is information you seek, FortMiles.org is the largest source of information on Fort Miles available anywhere.  This website is made up of information from the Fort Miles archives, consisting of photographs, manuals, and primary US Army documents relating to the facility.  You will find information on the weapons and equipment used here in the Firepower section, events from 1900 to present in the Timeline section, and information on the role that the Navy played at Fort Miles both during WWII and beyond.  Navigation is designed so that you can easily click through the site to learn more about what made Fort Miles work.

This site is also designed as an informational source for re-enactors who are currently "serving" at Fort Miles.  We are fortunate to have a very dedicated and hard working group of people that call Fort Miles a home.

Next Special Event

 

Ticket Information

The next Fort Miles special event will take place on August 15, 2009.  This event will feature a re-enactment of the surrender of U-858, a German submarine that surrendered to US forces on the mine dock at Fort Miles.  By popular demand, this event will also include an extra Battery Tour!  Click here for a schedule of events.  We hope to see you at Fort Miles on August 15th!

Admission to the Fort Miles Historic Area is included in the park entrance fee for Cape Henlopen State Park.  Guided tours of Battery 519 are $3.00 per person during special events. All other events are free during the day.

Get more information by calling the Fort Miles office at (302) 644-5007.

Join Us!

Interested in joining the 261st Coast Artillery re-enactment unit?
Click here to learn how.


Donate

If you would like to donate to the Fort Miles project, please send your check or money order to:
Fort Miles
42 Cape Henlopen Drive
Lewes, DE 19958
Attn:  Richard Julian

Quick Facts

Active 1940 - 1996.
Size: Approx 5000 acres.
Armament: 16 major caliber weapons.
Total Cost
$22 Million (1944 USD)
$334 Million (2008 USD)
Home to 2200 soldiers.
Named after Lt. General Nelson Appleton Miles.


FortMiles.org is maintained by Michael Rogers, Park Historian at Fort Miles, Cape Henlopen State Park.  This website is not hosted by
Delaware State Parks.


Visit What Price Glory for your WWII supply needs.  Commission from sales will be donated to the Fort Miles Restoration Project!

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All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part
without permission is prohibited.
Maintained by Michael Rogers

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