What a nice little spring diversion with the kids during Spring Break. Fort Hale sits on a low outcrop of traprock that juts out at the entrance of New Haven Harbor, providing the perfect spot for fortifications as far back as the 1600's.
There's a nice reconstruction of the Revolutionary War fortifications, then called Black Rock Fort (the name and size changed with each war), all located right next to a small beach, playground and fishing pier. A huge container ship headed out of the harbor, perhaps headed for China.
The main entrance to the fort was closed, so we parked at the beach and walked over along the shoreline. It wasn't far.
After enjoying Black Rock Fort at the point we explored inland, where the larger Fort Nathan Hale was located (Wars of 1812 and the Civil War).
We found that two small hills were actually man-made fortifications for the soldiers.
And here's something you don't see every day: a reconstructed Civil War drawbridge over a moat.Fort Hale is one of those overlooked spots in the region. I suspect the beach area is pretty busy in the summer, spilling over to the Fort, but it was just perfect for a warm spell in April.
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