Originally built by the British in 1771, Fort Mifflin supported the American Revolution by delaying the re-supply of British forces occupying the rebel capital of Philadelphia in November, 1777. Beginning in October of that year, a valiant 5-week battle took place culminating in the greatest bombardment of the Revolutionary War. Surrounding the Fort on three sides, the British shot over 10,000 cannonballs at the fort, causing the garrison to evacuate during the night of November 15, 1777. The battle’s survivors left their flag flying, set fire to what remained of the Fort and made their way across the Delaware River to Fort Mercer. Fort Mifflin never surrendered.
General Washington and the Continental Army used this time to establish winter quarters in Valley Forge. Too late in the season for British General Howe to chase them, the garrison at Fort Mifflin thus extended the war and allowed the American army time to regroup until the spring of 1778.
Fort Mifflin was reconstructed beginning in the late 18th century. An active military post until 1954, the Fort is one of the longest continually used military installations in the nation. In one visit to Fort Mifflin, a guest stands on a Revolutionary War battlefield, inside a Civil War prison and next to a magazine storing gunpowder during World War II. Extraordinary – and yet real.
Widely regarded as one of the most haunted locations in the country, Fort Mifflin has been welcoming “ghost hunters” from novice to deeply experienced for many years. Regular paranormal programming is on the calendar at www.FortMifflin.us. Like us on facebook at OfficialFortMifflinInfo and follow us on twitter @Fort_Mifflin.