Fort Duffield Heritage Committee
166706 Abbotts Beach Road
West Point, Kentucky 40177
Phone: 502-922-4574
Fax:
502-922-4574
E-mail: FortDuffield@insightbb.com This fort is an earthwork structure that traverses the top of the heights overlooking the rivers. The earthworks are approximately 20 to 30 feet high and run some 640 feet along Pearman Hill. The original design of the fort is a serpentine wall, open on the Ohio River or north side which was intended to protect against an invasion from the South. The fort was named for the commander of the 9th Michigan Infantry Colonel William W. Duffield. It is generally believed that Fort Duffield is the oldest Union Civil War fortification in Kentucky. It is certainly the most unique. As a rule the other forts in the state tend to be "star or home plate shaped" enclosures, Ft. Duffield is more of a wall and is not enclosed. Ft. Duffield is one of many fortifications in Kentucky that were constructed to defend cities, railroads, rivers and other key points in the Bluegrass state. Many of these structures still exist and even though most of them never fired a shot in anger they are still an important part of our Civil War heritage.
Monument erected at Fort Duffield in 1993
Currently the Fort Duffield Heritage Committee is working in West Point to preserve and protect Ft. Duffield. The group has worked diligently they have gotten the fort listed in the National Register of Historic Places. They now have a self-guided walking tour of the fort included some interpretive signage. The Kentucky Heritage Council has recently given a grant for an archaeological investigation of fort and the encampment. Admission
None Location
US 31W (Dixie Hwy) at Salt River Drive in West Point, KY
7.5 miles South of the Gene Snyder Freeway (Hwy 841)
9 miles North of Fort Knox Main entrance
Hours
Fort Duffield park is open daily year round 9 a.m. until dark.
Civil War Days at Fort Duffield is held each Memorial Day weekend.
Living History events on Saturday and Sunday.
Memorial Day Services at old Fort Duffield Cemetery on Monday.
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