Fort Delaware:
While visiting Delaware City, you can take a trip back in time to the Civil War era by visiting Fort Delaware. During the Civil War thousands of confederate prisoners came to Delaware City to be transported across the water to the fort. Today you can board the Three Forts Ferry from the docks in Delaware City's Battery Park for a pleasant trip over to the fort.

There, living history presentations will recreate the feeling of life at the fort in 1863. You'll be able to see union soldiers practicing their drills, a laundress scrubbing the clothes, and a blacksmith working at his forge. As you walk through the parade grounds, the General's office, the officers' quarters, and the prisoner barracks, you will be able to imagine how it was for those soldiers who were there almost 140 years ago.

 Fort Delaware
Fort Delaware
Fort Delaware is located on Pea Patch Island just off the coast of Delaware City. It is a Delaware State Park abounding in historical significance and natural beauty. While the southern end of the island is home to the fort, the northern end is a bird sanctuary. It was recently recognized by the Audubon Society as a bird sanctuary of "continental significance." The nature trail is approximately ¾ of a mile long and has an observation tower for viewing the heronry. Nine species of wading birds can be found on the island including the Great Blue Heron, the Great Egret, the Glossy Ibis, and the Tri-color Heron.
Three Forts Ferry:
After visiting Fort Delaware and Pea Patch Island, you can re-board the Three Forts Ferry and continue across the Delaware River to Fort Mott on the New Jersey coast. This fortification was constructed in 1896 before the Spanish-American War. From Fort Mott the Three Forts Ferry picks up passengers for the return trip to Delaware City via Fort Delaware.
The third fort for which the ferry is named is Fort DuPont located on the Delaware side of the river. It is separated from Delaware City by the branch canal. It can be accessed by walking along the canal and crossing Fifth Street Bridge (distance: one mile) or by car. Delaware State Parks maintains nature trails through Fort DuPont, and many of the buildings used through World War II when the fort was a prisoner of war camp for captured German soldiers from Rommel's Afrika Corps are still standing. Boaters can launch their boats at Fort DuPont's recently expanded and improved boat launch area.
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