1. Memorial Flag Court

Starting from the top point going clockwise: Present United States Flag: Cross of Sant George (Colonial Period); Grand Union Flag (American Revolution); Fifteen Stars and Stripes (War of 1812); Thirty-six stars, thirteen stripes (Civil War period)

6. and 9. Powder Magazines

Here barrels of gunpowder were stored. The magazines had heavy planked floors and doors. Copper nails were used throughout to prevent an accidental spark from setting off an explosion.

2. Civil War Drawbridge

Reconstructed in 1976 by students of the RHAM School in Hebron Connecticut, and again in in 1993 by the National Guard, the original drawbridge allowed troops to enter and leave over the moat. This type of bridge did not lift up but was rolled back.

7. and 10. Bombproof Shelters

Here soldiers stayed when not managing the guns - 10. was large enough to protect the entire garrison.

3. The Moat

The Fort was entirely surrounded by a deep, wide water filled moat, constructed to prevent easy access to the fort. Originally the moat encircled Fort Nathan Hale.

8. Guard House

The check point for those entering and leaving the fort. This building might also have been used as headquarters or officers' quarters.

4. Seawall

Built to keep the moat from being washed out to sea, a sluice allowed the tide to flow in and out. Before the 1938 hurricane, the seawall extended to the Naval Reserve Station.

11. Black Rock Fort

The original Black Rock Fort was built in the Revolutionary War period. In 1976, the Fort was reconstructed to commemorate our nation's Bicentennial.

On July 5, 1779, some 3,000 British, under the command of General William Tryon, invaded New Haven. Due to the strategic location of the Fort, their ships had to land troops at Savin Rock, to the west, and Lighthouse Point to the east, while warships bombarded the Fort. Within Black Rock, 19 men replied to the bombardment with their own guns as hundreds of British red-coats stormed the higher ground to the rear. Not until their ammunition ran out did these men spike and dismount their guns and withdraw.

5. Gun mounts

Thirty-two pounders were located between the structures. Siege guns - 18 pounders - were located on small platforms either side of the bridge. At the north and south ends of the Fort are granite blocks which held 24 pounders mounted on pivots. Eight inch Columbiads which rotated 360 degrees, were mounted on the bastion at the center of the Fort.

12. Betsy Ross Flag

According to legend, Betsy Ross made the first Stars and Stripes in June of 1776 at the request of a committee composed of George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross, an uncle of Mrs. Ross.