A Most Endangered Historic Resource:

Fort Lee, between Fort Avenue, and Memorial Drive, (Listed 2001) Signs of Improvement

Fort Lee, a fort predating the Revolutionary War, was rebuilt during the Civil War to contain a four-gun battery. Fort Lee’s star-shaped earthworks were also manned during the Spanish-American War of 1898. Recommendations included in a comprehensive historic preservation and archeological study completed in 2004 guided an HSI-led volunteer effort to restore this historic fort and landscape, beginning with clearing the site of over growth and dumped materials. In 2005, the City announced plans for a Korean War Memorial at the base of Fort Lee. In the fall of 2006, the Salem Veteran's Council voted not to erect a war memorial at the Fort Lee location, preferring Salem Common as a site for the memorial.

A volunteer leader is needed to continue the effort begun in 2004-2005 to restore the site and landscape. We hope that the public will visit and help to re-start the restoration of this remarkably beautiful and little known public space. Failing that, it is likely that Fort Lee will soon revert back to the overgrown status that prevailed prior to the 2004-2005 volunteer HSI effort and that this resource will return to Endangered.

History & Information:
Salem Bicentennial Committee works on historic forts, Salem Evening News, May or June 1967
Background Information, from undated Salem Evening News article

Drawing, Postcards & Photos:
Fort Lee Cleanup, September 21, 2002 - Photos
Fort Lee Clean-up on May 18, 2002 - Photos
Drawing & postcards