Fort Charles is an old British fort on the island of St. Kitts. Its capture by the French was the reason for the construction of the more famous Brimstone Hill Fortress, which overlooks it.
It was a suitable site, as ships were often becalmed beneath it, when making for Sandy Point Road. It was named after King Charles II, who gave £500 to assist the planters.
Charles Fort was a military post from 1670 until it was abandoned in 1854. Some forty years later in 1890 it was used as a Hansen Home (leper asylum). The Home was closed in 1996.
The fort today is not in good shape. It has been completely abandoned and is overgrown with vegetation.
Fort Charles on St. Kitts should not be confused with Fort Charles on Nevis.
Famous quotes containing the word fort:
“The newspapers are the ruling power. Any other government is reduced to a few marines at Fort Independence. If a man neglects to read the Daily Times, government will go down on its knees to him, for this is the only treason these days.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)