The Fort Caey reservation has been divided into three parts. Seee below for reports on all three (South, Middle, North):
Fort Name: Fort Casey (south)
Harbor Defense: Puget Sound
Current Site Name: Fort Casey State Park
Current Site Use: Recreational use and Ferry Dock for Port Townsend (Fort Worden)
Is the Site open to the Public: Yes
Dates and Hours of Operation: Daily 8:00 to Dusk
What type of programs are offered at the Site?
Living History: None
Tours: Fort/Whidbey Island History & Ecological Tours
(Summer Only)
Museum Shop: Admiralty Head Lighthouse
Jun-Sept, Wed-Sun 11AM to 5PM
Restoration Projects:
Are there events that the Site would like to have advertised in the CDSG Newsletter? No
What is the overall condition of the Site?
Fort Elements: Excellent to Poor
Current Use: Recreational use for camping, hiking, picnics, Ferry landing
What is the condition of the Individual Fort Elements? Very Good
Batteries: Very Good
Other Fort Elements: Excellent to Poor
What is the protective status of the Site? Washington State Parks Historical Asset and part of the Ebey’s prairies National Historic Reserve
Current Site Owner(s):
Name of Current Site Supervisor: Ken Hageman Title: Park Manager Mailing Address:1280 Engle Road Phone No: (360) 678-4519 Fax: None Email: None Web site: www.parks.wa.gov/ftcasey.htmOther History/Preservation Contacts at the Site:
Name: Admiralty Head Lighthouse Mailing Address: 1280 S. Fort Casey Road, Coupeville WA 98239 Phone No: (360) 678-4519The Admiralty Head Lighthouse is run by the cooperative effort of the Following Groups: Fort Casey State Park, Island County Beach Watchers and Island County Waste Warriors. There is a small Fort Casey museum and a Beach Watchers Store in the lighthouse.
Is the Site itself or a responsible individual at the Site a CDSG member? No but the CDSG Whidbey Island Rep lives within walking distance of the site.
What information can the CDSG provide to the management of the site?
Detailed drawings of the breech block for 3-inch guns Model 1903 as well as drawings for the firing mechanism. When the breech project is completed the plan is to use the gun as a demonstration gun. The gun to be used for reenactments and simulate firing with ‘smoke and boom’ pyrotechnics.
Are there any projects at the Site that would benefit from CDSG funding? TBD
Are there any Special Situations or Conditions at the Site that could affect the Preservation of the Site? (e.g., Damage, Imminent Destruction, Rapid Deterioration, etc.)
1) Most of the 10-inch gun emplacement rooms are constantly wet due to overhead leaks and several of the concrete angle irons are rusted through. Cracking and deterioration of the concrete continues to be a problem.
Please indicate any significant individual batteries, base-end stations, buildings, etc.
Battery Worth:
1) Two 10-inch DC guns are installed in the battery (from Fort Wint in the Philippines). 2) The rooms under Gun No:1 are lit. The light fixture types resemble the original. Current hazardous condition electrical codes were met for installation. 3) The gun aprons have been replaced. On Gun #1 the loading platform, traverse and superior slope of the parapet have been repaired and sealed. Once the ammunition rooms have been dried out (an estimated two year process) the concrete ceiling and walls are scheduled to be repaired as well. 4) A Taylor Raymond ammunition hoist have been restored, installed and is in operating condition. 5) A balance platform hoist is currently being restored with an estimated completion date of 2007.Battery Trevor:
1) Battery Trevor has two 3-inch pedestal guns installed (from Fort Wint in the Philippines). 2) The storeroom has been cleaned and painted. The light switch panel has been reinstalled.Admiralty Head Lighthouse
The lighthouse is in excellent shape. A working original lighthouse lens is on display in the museum.
Fort Name: Fort Casey (middle)
Harbor Defense: Puget Sound
Current Site Name: Casey Conference Center
Current Site Use: Private
Is the Site open to the Public: No with one exception. Fort Casey Inn is open to the public. It’s housed in the original NCO duplex quarters.
Are there events that the Site would like to have advertised in the CDSG Newsletter? No
What is the overall condition of the Site? Excellent to Good
Fort Elements: Very Good
Current Use: Conference Center, Retreat and Sports Camp
What is the condition of the Individual Fort Elements?
Batteries: Battery Parker in good shape
Other Fort Elements: Excellent to Good. This includes the support complex of the fort including store houses, fire house, coal depot, living quarters, recreation buildings, chow hall and parade ground. BC and observation stations are in poor shape or buried in overgrowth.
What is the protective status of the Site?
Island County Historical Site, part of the Ebey’s Prairie National Historic Reserve
Current Site Owner(s):
Seattle Pacific University Mailing Address: 1276 S. Engle Road, Coupeville WA 98239 Phone No: (360) 678-5050Is the Site itself or a responsible individual at the Site a CDSG member? No
Please indicate any significant individual batteries, base-end stations, buildings, etc.
Casey Conference Center uses most the buildings in their part of the fort for the original intended purpose. Examples: The administration building, recreation hall, barracks, Chow Hall, tennis court and some store houses remain the same. They use many of the original drawings from 1924-1940 for maintenance purposes.
Fort Name: Fort Casey (north)
Harbor Defense: Puget Sound
Current Site Name: NAAS Natural Area Preserve
Current Site Use: Private
Is the Site open to the Public: There is one limited access public trail that runs thru the preserve as part of the Ebey’s Prairie National Historic Reserve. Otherwise the NAAS Natural Area if strictly off limits unless permission is granted by and/or an escort provided by the Whidbey Camano Land Trust. The CDSG Whidbey Island Field Rep is a member and can escort one to the coast artillery sites.
What type of programs are offered at the Site? None for CAC purposes
What is the overall condition of the Site? Good to Poor
Fort Elements: Good to Poor
Current Use: Conservation Preservation area home to endangered and rare plant life including Golden Paintbrush.
What is the condition of the Individual Fort Elements?
Batteries:
1) Searchlight #8, #9 and associated powerhouse in good shape and dry. 2) BN1 overgrown with brush, wet but intact. 3) Fire Secondary Station B”7 and B”11 in ruins and overgrown with brush.What is the protective status of the Site? Whidbey Camano Land Trust, part of Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve
Current Site Owner(s):
Whidbey Camano Land Trust Mailing Address: 765 Wonn Road, Barn C-201, Greenbank, Washington 98253 Phone No: (360) 222-3310Is the Site itself or a responsible individual at the Site a CDSG member? No