Fort Ninigret Historic Site: The oldest military post in America

Fort Ninigret is a historic fort and trading post site in Charlestown, Rhode Island. The historic site is a little less than an hour from Providence. We visited during a road trip through New England. 

My wife and I pulled into the small dirt parking lot in mid afternoon. We were the only car there. We were not quite sure what to expect, having simply decided to stop because it was on our way towards Providence. I am certainly happy we did stop.  

The fort is named after the great sachem of the Niantics people, Chief Ninigret. Fort Ninigret has been called the oldest military post in America.  It’s more than 400 years old. It’s so old that no one knows with certainty who actually built the fort.  Some historians believe it was built by the Dutch West India Company or by Portuguese explorers prior to 1637.

Archaeologists excavating the area have made some fascinating discoveries.  A cannon made by the Portuguese in the 1500s and a Spanish sword from the late 1400s were found.  A small piece of pottery emblazoned with the letter “R” was also discovered.  Perhaps most interesting, a few skeletons have been found. One of which was headless. 

Gaspar Corte-Real and Miguel Corte-Real 

Some historians have put forth the theory that the skeletons may be long lost Portuguese explorers Gaspar Corte-Real or his brother Miguel Corte-Real. Both of which disappeared in 1501 and 1502 respectively.  Could the R from the piece of pottery be from them? That is likely forever lost to history, but incredibly interesting nonetheless. 

You don’t need much time to visit the site. We spent about a half hour wandering the grassy park. A metal fence traces the outline of the fort, and earthworks can still be seen around the edge. Additionally, there are a few signs explaining the historical significance of this off-the-beaten-path historic site.

In 1893 Fort Ninigret was dedicated to the Narragansett and Niantic Native Americans. . There is a large boulder with an etched with these words:

“Fort Ninigret

Memorial of the Narragansett and Niantic Indians

Unwavering Friends and Allies of Our Fathers

Erected by the State of Rhode Island”

Dwight R. Adams, William P. Sheffield, Jr., George Carmichael Jr.: Comrs 1883.

If you live in Providence or are traveling through the area, make some time to stop at the Fort Ninigret Historic Site. It’s not often you get to walk through more than 400 years of history.