Fort Trumbull State Park

State Park · New London, Connecticut

A granite coastal fort on a point at the mouth of the Thames, finished in 1852 in the Egyptian Revival style, which is as odd as it sounds and makes it unlike any other fort on this coast. There has been a fort here since 1777, and the first one was taken by Benedict Arnold in the 1781 raid that burned New London - Arnold was a New London man, which is the detail nobody forgets. The present fort is intact, walkable and unusually well interpreted, with a visitor centre covering everything from the Revolution through the Cold War, when this was the Navy Underwater Sound Laboratory. It also has a long fishing pier and the best free view in the city: straight across the river to the submarine base, with the Coast Guard Academy upstream and ferries crossing in front. The surrounding neighbourhood is where the Kelo eminent domain case happened, and the land taken for redevelopment was largely never rebuilt. The grounds, the pier and the view are free and open all year; the fort itself keeps a short season.

90 Walbach Street, New London, New London, Connecticut, 06320, United States

The GROUNDS, the fishing pier and the viewpoints are open daily year round from around eight to sunset and are free. The FORT ITSELF and the visitor centre are SEASONAL, typically late spring to early autumn on a limited week, with a small admission. Parking is free. Confirm the fort season before travelling - the grounds being open is not the same as the fort being open.

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