Willapa Military Reservation

Willapa Military Reservation (1918-1932) - A World War I Coastal Military Reservation first established in 1918, Pacific County, Washington. Abandoned in 1932. World War I (1917-1918) Part of the Harbor Defense of Willapa Harbor. Two temporary batteries were built with only concrete pads for two 6" pedestal mounted rifles and four 12" mortars on two separate plots of land. The 6" guns came from Fort Stevens, Battery Freeman and were mounted in 1919 but the mortars were not furnished. On 26 Oct 1921 the Coast Defenses of the Columbia were placed in caretaker status and a caretaker detachment of six men was to care for Fort Canby, Fort Columbia, Grays Harbor, and Willapa Bay. One caretaker was placed at both Willapa Military Reservation and Grays Harbor Military Reservation. The caretaker at Willapa Bay was relieved about 1930. The 6" guns were transferred on 28 Aug 1932 to Fort Worden for future use in Battery Tolles-B. Willapa Military Reservation World War I Battery (edit list) Battery Click on Battery links below No. Caliber Type Mount Service Years Notes Battery Willapa-1 2 6" Pedestal 1918-1918-1919-1932 Battery Willapa-2 4 12" Mortar 1918-1918-1919-NA Source: CDSG Fort Willapa Military Reservation Plan 1921 Current Status Near North Cove, Pacific County, Washington. The terrain has eroded significantly and it is difficult to pinpoint the exact site of the batteries. No period guns or carriages in place. Location: Private Property, Pacific County, Washington. Maps & Images Lat: 46.723682 Long: -123.989553 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: ' GPS Locations: 46.72127, -124.000969 Willapa Military Reservation See Also: Battery Willapa-1 Battery Willapa-2 Sources: Hanft, Marshall, Fort Stevens: Oregon's defender at the river of the West, Your Town Press, 1980, page 246 The History of the Western Defense Command, Appendix No. 4 - Chronological History of The Harbor Defenses of Gray’s Harbor, Washington, typescript reprinted by the CDSG Press. Links: North American Forts - Willapa Military Reservation CDSG Fortification ID: WA0327 - Willapa Military Reservation Visited: No