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Lying amidst rolling dunes, in the shadow of a World War II observation tower,
is Fort Miles Historical Area.
During World War II, the Delaware River was a chief priority for defense
planners because of the access it afforded to the giant trade centers of
Wilmington, Philadelphia, and beyond. Fort Miles, located in what is now Cape
Henlopen State Park, was a key piece in the nation's coastal defense at that
time.
The heavy guns, mine
fields and searchlights of Fort Miles provided in-depth defense; however, the
growing use of long-range missiles brought an end to harbor defenses in the
United States. By 1958, Fort Miles was no longer important to the defense of
the region, and in 1964, 543 acres of the base were returned to the State of
Delaware, forming the heart of Cape Henlopen State Park. In April, 2005, Fort
Miles was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Fort Miles is a special
place for families, history buffs, veterans, or anyone interested in learning
about the Delaware shore and WWII. Take a tour of the Fort, enjoy an
interpretive program, dance to a swing band, and celebrate the "greatest
generation" in our nation's history.
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