The fort at the end of the runway

kw: history, historic sites

Returning from our trip last week, we flew over New Jersey to approach the Philadelphia Airport from the east. As the plane made its last turn toward the runway, I saw this fort out the window. I had no idea there was an old fort so near the airport.

This is Fort Mifflin, built in 1771, the site of the greatest bombardment ever on the North American continent (more than 10,000 cannonballs over a 3-week period). It is called "The Fort That Saved America." By withstanding the British attack for those three weeks, its 400 defenders allowed General Washington to withdraw his troops to Valley Forge late in 1777, too late for their enemies to pursue them.

Had the British taken the fort quickly and re-established their supply lines, they could have cut off Washington's retreat and probably would have brought an early end to the Revolutionary War, one that retained the Colonies in their former status, as subject to British law.

This is the only Revolutionary-era fort that remains intact. Now that I know it is there, I'll have to pay it a visit.