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See 15 United States Military Forts Captured in Captivating Compositions From the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

These Army facilities, both active and decomissioned, show the breadth of ways they reflect the fabric of the nation

OPENER - Flying Maine’s original state flag, from 1901, the schooner Timberwind sails out of the fog, past Fort Gorges in Casco Bay.
OPENER - Flying Maine’s original state flag, from 1901, the schooner Timberwind sails out of the fog, past Fort Gorges in Casco Bay.
Flying Maine’s original state flag, from 1901, the schooner Timberwind sails out of the fog, past Fort Gorges in Casco Bay. Jean Cousins, Maine, 2020

See 15 United States Military Forts Captured in Captivating Compositions From the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

These Army facilities, both active and decomissioned, show the breadth of ways they reflect the fabric of the nation

Photographs selected by Jeff Campagna

OPENER - Flying Maine’s original state flag, from 1901, the schooner Timberwind sails out of the fog, past Fort Gorges in Casco Bay.
Flying Maine’s original state flag, from 1901, the schooner Timberwind sails out of the fog, past Fort Gorges in Casco Bay. Jean Cousins, Maine, 2020

More than 300 military forts are scattered across the United States. The number grows when accounting for those in U.S. territories, like Guam and Puerto Rico. Some date back to Colonial times, before America was an independent nation, and were won from former adversaries. Others are vast, modern towns with shops, schools and bowling alleys, built to fulfill the everyday needs of military families while also supporting the Army’s mission to “deploy, fight and win.” Whether old, decommissioned or new and thriving, these forts are part of America’s story and depicted here in picturesque variety. Take a look.

2 - Constructed in the early and mid-1800s, Fort Soledad, also known as Fort Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, is a historic Spanish-era fortification in Humåtak. After World War II, it became a public park.
Constructed in the early and mid-1800s, Fort Soledad, also known as Fort Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, is a historic Spanish-era fortification in Humåtak. After World War II, it became a public park. Melissa Stiefel, Guam, 2013
3 - Black Hawk pilots at Fort Carson train with Bambi Buckets, invented to transport water to fight large fires.
Black Hawk pilots at Fort Carson train with Bambi Buckets, invented to transport water to fight large fires. Grace Margritz, Colorado, 2020
4 - Wearing Colonial-era uniforms, men at Fort McHenry fire arms in celebration of Defenders’ Day—Baltimore’s oldest holiday, which honors the city’s successful defense from British attack in 1814.
Wearing Colonial-era uniforms, men at Fort McHenry fire arms in celebration of Defenders’ Day—Baltimore’s oldest holiday, which honors the city’s successful defense from British attack in 1814. Joshua Eller, Maryland, 2011
11 - The decommissioned Fort Ord, now a national monument, was once a World War I training facility.
The decommissioned Fort Ord, now a national monument, was once a World War I training facility. Abby O'Rourke, California, 2012
6 - The UH-60 Black Hawk—the Army's frontline utility aircraft—is frequently used in air assaults.
The UH-60 Black Hawk—the Army's frontline utility aircraft—is frequently used in air assaults. Grace Margritz, Colorado, 2020
7 - Soldiers fought battles from these tunnels at Fort Barrancas in Pensacola.
Soldiers fought battles from these tunnels at Fort Barrancas in Pensacola. William Finn, Florida, 2023
8 - The Milky Way unfurls over Fort Crown Point. Constructed by the British on the site of the old French Fort St. Frederic in 1759, Crown Point was captured by American colonists in 1775. Its weaponry was invaluable to the Revolutionary cause.
The Milky Way unfurls over Fort Crown Point. Constructed by the British on the site of the old French Fort St. Frederic in 1759, Crown Point was captured by American colonists in 1775. Its weaponry was invaluable to the Revolutionary cause. Michael Catillaz, New York, 2021
9 - Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Puerto Rico is one of many forts built near water to defend coasts from attackers and protect trading ships.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Puerto Rico is one of many forts built near water to defend coasts from attackers and protect trading ships. Valeria Villegas-Medina, Puerto Rico, 2022
10 - Artillerymen from 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, fire rounds from an M119A1 howitzer during a live-fire exercise at Fort Drum.
Artillerymen from 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, fire rounds from an M119A1 howitzer during a live-fire exercise at Fort Drum. Jessica George, New York, 2020
5 - Graffiti decorates the walls at the decommissioned military base Fort Ord.
Graffiti decorates the walls at the decommissioned military base Fort Ord. Abby O'Rourke, California, 2012
12 - Ruins of the officers’ quarters at Fort Union National Monument in New Mexico still stand. The fort was a supply location and an important stop for traders and travelers along the Santa Fe Trail.
Ruins of the officers’ quarters at Fort Union National Monument in New Mexico still stand. The fort was a supply location and an important stop for traders and travelers along the Santa Fe Trail. Steven Martin, New Mexico, 2015
13 - An empty bottle and a kerosene lamp sit atop a barrel in a time-worn room at Fort Adams.
An empty bottle and a kerosene lamp sit atop a barrel in a time-worn room at Fort Adams. Kimberly Maines, Rhode Island, 2018
14 - A U.S. Army soldier at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry watches as fireworks erupt to mark the 200th anniversary of the penning of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
A U.S. Army soldier at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry watches as fireworks erupt to mark the 200th anniversary of the penning of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Cody Torkelson, Maryland, 2014
15 - This old room at Fort Adams once held soldiers but is now a shelter for history. Beyond its crumbling walls, the fort is the site of daily tours and annual summer festivals.
This old room at Fort Adams once held soldiers but is now a shelter for history. Beyond its crumbling walls, the fort is the site of daily tours and annual summer festivals. Kimberly Maines, Rhode Island, 2018
Jeff Campagna

Jeff Campagna is a photo editor at Smithsonian magazine. You can follow him on Instagram at @jeffcampagna.

Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

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