Fort Boreman Civil War Park

During our visit with Aunt Ethel and Uncle Gene, they suggested that we drive to the new 12-acre Fort Boreman Civil War Park. The park is located across the Little Kanawha River on Fort Boreman Hill just minutes from downtown Parkersburg. Originally called Mount Logan, it was renamed Fort Boreman Hill after West Virginia's first governor, Arthur I. Boreman, a Parkersburg resident. A Union garrison from the 11th West Virginia Infantry was encamped there during the Civil War because of the promontory's command of the two rivers. (Ohio and Little Kanawha) Fort Boreman was also where Parkersburg held public hangings until 1868.

What a wonderful addition to the city of Parkersburg. Arriving at the park, it was immediately obvious why this was a strategic location for a fort. We were welcomed with a super panorama of Parkersburg, the Point (where the Little Kanawha flows into the Ohio River), and unobstructed views of the rivers with Blennerhassett Island to our south.

This view shows clearly the Belpre, Ohio, bridge with Parkersburg to your right.



Here below is the Ohio River with historic Blennerhassett Island on your left.



It was a beautiful day, but the temperature was quite chilly. Uncle Gene invited up to walk to the top of the hill. This is the location of the earthworks that made the walls of the fort. Uncle Gene explained that a huge civil war cannon was purchased to be mounted on the top of the hill, but it has been removed temporarily. Guess the city fathers can not figure how to secure the cannon so that it would not be vandalized. It would be a snap to push the cannon over the hill at this location and have the critter travel down Market Street!



It was a great day with family!