Fight is on to save Revolutionary War fort described as first federal land purchase
Somewhere in the ground overlooking the Delaware River, amid the trees and brush at a Paulsboro oil-storage terminal, is a long-forgotten piece of American history. Identified on a British map 230 years ago as a "rebel fort," the site was the nation's first federal land purchase, made the day after the Declaration of Independence.
It's the "birthplace of homeland security," says a group of local historians, preservationists and municipal officials who hope to restore the fort as a national historic site.
They hope to uncover its earthen walls - and possibly a few brick or stone tunnels - as well as artifacts such as cannon and musket balls and other relics.
But their plans have hit a snag.
Fort Billingsport, which held off British ships for about a month in 1777, seems poised for another battle, this one over historic preservation.
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It's the "birthplace of homeland security," says a group of local historians, preservationists and municipal officials who hope to restore the fort as a national historic site.
They hope to uncover its earthen walls - and possibly a few brick or stone tunnels - as well as artifacts such as cannon and musket balls and other relics.
But their plans have hit a snag.
Fort Billingsport, which held off British ships for about a month in 1777, seems poised for another battle, this one over historic preservation.