6/2 Fort Flagler Historical Military Area

I decided to take a tour of the old fort area, so I drove up the big hill on Sunday morning and found a parking spot, although I had to do a lot of walking to get to where the tours started.  Very scenic location for a fort!  When I arrived, the fog was hanging over Puget Sound, so you could not see much, but being on a bluff, you could see over the fog to the opposite shore.  

They are fixing the foundations of all of the fort buildings and replacing the slate roofs, so you can see this roof in progress.  

Many of the old buildings from 1900 have been taken down because they were in bad condition, but these barracks were saved.  If you have a very large group, you can rent the whole buildings and the kitchen and meeting rooms, as well. 

Looking out past a storage building to the earthworks and gun emplacements. 

 

 This is one of two old searchlights that have been restored by volunteers.

This is a machine used to lift up big shells and put them on carts so they could be taken out to the big guns. 

Earthen berms and gun emplacements. 

The next few photos show pictures of the area underneath the earthen berms and cement structures that hold the guns. 

This is a speaking tube, except that they are stuffed full of dirt and other material, so need to be cleaned out before they can figure out where each goes.  Better than sticking your head up above ground and yelling, I suppose, but not much better. 

 The museum and gift shop. It also is getting a new roof.  They are able to use some of the original slate, and the new roofs should easily last another hundred years or more. 

Some photos inside the small museum.  

The afternoon tour was of the old hospital.  This, however, is the basement and morgue! 

Wonderful views of Puget Sound!

Down the hill and near the point was the old lighthouse.  It is now being used as a marine research center, so no access for the public.  

Typical beach covered with old driftwood logs. 

I think these are the largest wild roses I have ever seen.  Very common in the campground, also. 

This shrub is also very common and very attractive, but unfortunately, it is Scotch Broom, which is an invasive species on the West Coast. 

 Lots of walking on my tours, so back to my campsite to rest and eat dinner.