History Lighthouse Coastal fortifications Radio station State park
See also
References
External links
{{Infobox protected area | name = Beavertail State Park | iucn_category = | photo = Beavertail_Light_from_the_water_2007.jpg | photo_caption = Beavertail Lighthouse | map = USA Rhode Island | map_image = | map_size = | map_caption = Location in Rhode Island | relief = 1 | location = Jamestown, Newport, Rhode Island, United States | nearest_city = | nearest_town = | coordinates = {{coord|41|26|56|N|71|23|58|W|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = [1] | length = | length_mi = | length_km = | width = | width_mi = | width_km = | area_acre = 153 | area_ref = | elevation = {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on}}[1] | elevation_avg = | elevation_min = | elevation_max = | dimensions = | designation = | authorized = | created = | designated = | established = 1980 | named_for = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_ref = | governing_body = Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Parks & Recreation | administrator = | operator = | owner = | website = Beavertail State Park | embedded = }}Beavertail State Park is a public recreation area encompassing {{convert|153|acre}} at the southern end of Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. The state park's main attraction is the active Beavertail Lighthouse, the current tower of which dates from 1856. During World War II, the park area was part of Fort Burnside, one of several coastal fortifications designed to protect Narragansett Bay.[3] The park's scenic shoreline offers hiking, picnicking, and saltwater fishing.{{TOC limit|2}}
History
Lighthouse
A 58-foot wooden tower built in 1749, under the direction of architect Peter Harrison of Newport, burnt down in 1753. It was replaced by a fieldstone tower which was in use until 1856, when the present tower and keeper's quarters were completed.[5] The assistant keeper's house, which was built in 1898, now houses the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum.[6]
Coastal fortifications
In 1776, during the American Revolution, the Beaver Tail Fort was built in conjunction with the Conanicut Battery near Beaver Head. These forts were captured by the British when they seized the Newport area in December 1778, and later used by the Americans and French after the British withdrew in October 1779.[2]
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Fort Burnside was established in 1942 as part of the Harbor Defenses of Narragansett Bay. By late 1943, a battery of two 6-inch guns (152 mm) and a battery of two 3-inch guns (76 mm) were established. The 6-inch battery was called Battery Construction Number (BCN) 213, with ammunition magazines in a large bunker and the guns in shielded mounts. The 3-inch battery was called Battery Whiting; the guns were relocated from Fort Getty and the battery name was retained. A large Army-Navy Harbor Entrance Control Post, disguised as a seaside mansion, was also built and still exists. Fort Burnside also hosted a US Navy indicator loop station for detecting submarines (Station 1H).[3] A battery of two 16-inch guns (406 mm), similar to those at Fort Church and Fort Greene and called BCN 110, was proposed for Fort Burnside but never built.[9][4] With the war over, Fort Burnside's guns were scrapped in 1948.
Radio station
From circa 1960 to 1974, part of the former Fort Burnside was used for the Naval Radio Station (NAVRADSTA) Jamestown, part of Naval Communications Station (NAVCOMMSTA) Newport. It had a distinctive 600-foot (180-meter) radio tower.[5]
State park
The state created Beavertail State Park in 1980, after the site was declared federal surplus land.[3] The park is used for sightseeing, hiking, picnicking, and saltwater fishing. Nature programs are offered seasonally.
See also
Seacoast defense in the United States
United States Army Coast Artillery Corps
References
1. ^1 {{cite gnis|1219943|Beavertail Point}} 2. ^Beaver Tail Fort at American Forts Network 3. ^Indicator loop website 4. ^Berhow, p. 205 5. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.virhistory.com/navy/commsta/newport.htm |title=NAVCOMMSTA Newport |author=Zecchino, Paul Vincent |work=US Navy Communication Stations |accessdate=26 October 2015}} 6. ^1 2 {{cite web |url=http://www.riparks.com/History/HistoryBeavertail.html |title=Beavertail State Park History |publisher=State of Rhode Island Division of Parks & Recreation |accessdate=8 December 2012}} 7. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.preservation.ri.gov/pdfs_zips_downloads/national_pdfs/jamestown/jams_beavertail-road_beavertail-light.pdf |title=Beavertail Light |work=National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form |publisher=Rhode Island Preservation |date=April 1977 |accessdate=9 November 2015}} 8. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.beavertaillight.org/ |title=Lighthouse Museum |publisher=Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association |accessdate=9 November 2015}} 9. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.fortwiki.com/Fort_Burnside |title=Fort Burnside |publisher=FortWiki |accessdate=26 October 2015}}
[6][7][8][9] }}
{{cite book | last1 = Berhow | first1 = Mark A., Ed. | last2 = | first2 = | title = American Seacoast Defenses, A Reference Guide, Second Edition | publisher = CDSG Press | year = 2004 | isbn = 0-9748167-0-1}}
{{cite book | last = Lewis | first = Emanuel Raymond | authorlink = | title = Seacoast Fortifications of the United States | publisher = Leeward Publications | year = 1979 | location = Annapolis | isbn = 978-0-929521-11-4 }}
External links
{{commons category|Beavertail State Park}}
Beavertail State Park Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Parks & Recreation
List of all US coastal forts and batteries at the Coast Defense Study Group, Inc. website
FortWiki, lists all CONUS and Canadian forts
{{Protected areas of Rhode Island}}{{Forts in Rhode Island}}
6 : State parks of Rhode Island|Jamestown, Rhode Island|Forts in Rhode Island|Protected areas established in 1980|Protected areas of Newport County, Rhode Island|1980 establishments in Rhode Island