Pea Patch Island – Fort Delaware State Park

Rising from the middle of the Delaware River, Fort Delaware State Park sits on Pea Patch Island between Delaware City and Fort Mott, New Jersey. It is one of the most significant Civil War sites in the Mid-Atlantic and one of the most unusual state parks in Delaware, because you have to take a boat to get there.

A Fortress Built to Guard the River

The strategic importance of Pea Patch Island dates back to the early 1800s. The first fortification on the island was built in 1813 during the War of 1812, but it was largely destroyed by fire in 1831.

The current granite-and-brick fort was constructed between 1848 and 1859 as part of the United States’ “Third System” of coastal defenses—a national effort to protect major ports after weaknesses were exposed during the War of 1812. The fort’s five-sided design, thick masonry walls, and elevated gun positions were built to defend the Delaware River and the vital port cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington.

It never saw a traditional artillery battle. Its most significant role came during the Civil War.

A Civil War Prison on the Delaware River

From 1862 to 1865, Fort Delaware served as a Union prison for Confederate soldiers. At its peak, the fort held more than 12,000 prisoners. Living conditions were harsh and crowded, and several thousand Confederate soldiers died on the island due to disease and exposure.

Today, the fort’s casemates, barracks, powder magazines, and parade grounds remain remarkably intact. Visitors can walk through:

• Soldier quarters
• Officer’s rooms
• Prisoner cells
• Kitchens and storerooms
• The massive gun emplacements

Living history interpreters often recreate daily military life, complete with cannon demonstrations and period uniforms, giving the site an immersive feel that textbooks simply can’t match.

After the War

Following the Civil War, Fort Delaware continued in limited military use but gradually declined in importance. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, modern artillery made masonry forts obsolete.

In 1951, the State of Delaware acquired the property, and it officially became Fort Delaware State Park. Restoration and preservation efforts over the decades transformed it into one of the most compelling historic destinations in the region.

More Than a Fort

Pea Patch Island is also an ecological site of note. It supports one of the largest heron and egret rookeries on the East Coast. During nesting season, visitors may see:

• Great blue herons
• Snowy egrets
• Glossy ibises
• Black-crowned night herons

So yes, it’s a Civil War prison — but it’s also a surprisingly vibrant wildlife sanctuary.

A Haunted Reputation

Given its Civil War history and the number of men who died there, it’s not surprising that Fort Delaware has developed a strong haunted reputation.

Over the years, staff and visitors have reported:

• Apparitions in the casemates
• Sudden cold spots in interior rooms
• Footsteps echoing through empty corridors
• Unexplained voices and sounds

The fort has been featured in paranormal investigations and ghost tours, and seasonal “Fort Delaware After Dark” programs capitalize on its eerie atmosphere. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, walking through dimly lit brick corridors at dusk on an isolated river island definitely has a way of stirring the imagination.

If walls could talk, these would probably whisper.

How to Visit

Fort Delaware is accessible only by seasonal ferry from Delaware City. The ferry ride itself becomes part of the experience, offering panoramic views of the Delaware River and surrounding marshlands.

Location: Pea Patch Island, Delaware River

Ferry Departure: Delaware City, DE

Typical Season: Spring through Fall (varies by year)

The ferry schedule and seasonal hours change annually, so visitors should check the Delaware State Parks system before planning a trip.

Why Fort Delaware Matters

Fort Delaware connects multiple threads of Delaware history:

• Coastal defense strategy after the War of 1812
• Civil War imprisonment and military logistics
• Industrial and shipping importance of the Delaware River
• The development of historic preservation in the mid-20th century

It also pairs naturally with nearby destinations:

• Delaware City Historic District
• C&D Canal Trail
• Fort Mott State Park (NJ)
• Historic New Castle

A River Landmark with National Weight

Many Civil War battlefields draw crowds. Few prison sites remain this intact. Fewer still sit on an island fortress in the middle of a major American river.

Fort Delaware is not just a park — it’s a living artifact of 19th-century military engineering and wartime reality.