Photo courtesy of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park Probably taken during the 1910s, this photo shows three of the four original married enlisted men’s barracks at Fort Wilkins, which were constructed in 1844. Taken long before the fort became a state park, the photo also shows two large buildings in the background, long gone, that were the barn and a slaughterhouse.

KEWEENAW COUNTY — When U.S. 5th Infantry Captain Robert E. Clary, with his command of 105 soldiers of Companies A and B, arrived at Copper Harbor in May, 1844, their assigned orders were to construct a military post to be named in honor of the then Secretary of War, William Wilkins. The post were largely completed by the end of October of that year. But who would have guessed this military installation would one day become a Michigan state park?

This year, in fact, Fort Wilkins celebrates its Centennial Anniversary as a state park.

Barry James is the administrator at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum, Negaunee, and historical exhibits and interpretation at Fort Wilkins State Park, Copper Harbor.

James said the fort, now a museum, is significant to the region for its historical and cultural importance.

“I think that it serves as an excellent example of a mid-19th century military post,” James said, “with 12 original structures dating to the 1840s. I think it’s great that our visitors can go into these original buildings and it’s just a wonderful historic site.”

Two years after the military post was constructed, its troops were withdrawn and sent to Jefferson Barracks, in Missouri, to prepare for their participation in the Mexican-American War. The fort then sat, all but forgotten, until 1868, when it was again re-garrisoned by two companies of the Second Reserve Corps. The corps was composed of men had been wounded during the Civil War, but could still function in non-combat roles. In 1870, the fort was again abandoned. No longer wanted as a military installation the fort was transferred to the U.S. Department of Interior, who retained ownership until 1921, when Houghton and Keweenaw counties worked together to purchase the property, for which they paid $2,000.

The property was then given to the state of Michigan for use as a state park. The Work Projects Administration began restorations to the buildings in the early 1930s. There are reasons to suspect, however, that the WPA may not have rebuilt everything as it was originally constructed. The fort complex has been expanding and improving ever since — and will continue in the near and far future.

“Larger expansion projects occurred in the 1960s, which includes expanding the west campground and putting in the water and shower facilities,” said James. “Those will be seeing improvements next year, with part of ARPA. We, as well as other sites within the Michigan History Center are receiving funds for major projects.”

Additional projects for 2024 include replacing the roofs on the Officers’ Quarters, repairing several sets of chimneys, James said, and replacing the entire stockade, which is over 900 10-foot cedar posts, along with tuck-pointing and repairing building foundations.