Fort Phoenix
Why it's listed
Fort Phoenix sits on a rocky promontory at the northwestern end of Sconticut Neck in Fairhaven, guarding the mouth of New Bedford Harbor. Local militia began the fort in 1775 after the battles at Concord and Lexington, following a small naval action in which Fairhaven men captured two sloops. In September 1778, more than 4,000 British troops under General Grey raided the harbor area, destroyed ships and stores, and wrecked the deserted fort. The militia rebuilt it so quickly that it seemed to rise from its ashes, which gave the fort its name. The surviving horseshoe-shaped structure has brick outer walls with a cement covering added in 1950, granite inner walls, and an earth and sod parapet between them. Semicircular recesses and granite truck runs allowed cannon to be rotated. Five cast-iron cannon dated 1828 are mounted there. The town has owned it since 1922, and it forms part of a public park.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the fort is significant for its military role in the American Revolution. Local militia built it to protect the harbor after an early naval skirmish in 1775. British troops destroyed it in September 1778, and it was rebuilt so quickly that it was said to rise from its ashes and was named Fort Phoenix.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72000120, listed November 9, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S of U.S. 6 in Fort Phoenix Park, Fairhaven |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | November 9, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000120 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 18th Century; specific date 1775 |
| Architect / builder | Local militia (builders of the original and rebuilt fort); no architect named |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the Town of Fairhaven since 1922 and maintained as part of Fort Phoenix Park, a recreational area; described as in an excellent state of preservation. |
| Acreage | 2.3 |
| Coordinates | 41.62399, -70.90255 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72000120.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5471820
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.