Fort Terry - History and Timeline

History and Timeline

First “owned” by the Corchaug and Montaukett Indian tribes the Plum Island was sold to Samuel Wyllys for a coat, a barrel of biscuits and 100 fishhooks. The original fort was constructed after the federal government acquired Plum Island from Abraham S. Hewitt, a former mayor of New London, Connecticut, for $25,000. It is not clear how Hewitt became owner of the property. Fort Terry, named for Major General Alfred Terry, began operation in 1897 and was expanded several times from the time of the Spanish–American War through World War II. The initial federal purchase was for 150 acres, however the rest of the island was turned over to the federal government in 1901.

Fort Terry served as an artillery post during the Spanish–American War, and it was to attack enemy ships as they headed toward New York City. Organized in 1907, It was manned by the 133rd Company, Coast Artillery Corps, organized in 1907. In 1916, they were re-designated as the 3d Company, and continued to serve in that capacity throughout World War I. Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hero, Jr. was in command of the post in August, 1915. Following the end of World War I, Fort Terry was declared surplus and put under the control of personnel at Fort H.G. Wright. At one point, Fort Terry was used by Portsmouth National Guard Armory as their summer encampment and training location. The Gun and Machine Gun Battalions worked on night firing solutions at aerial balloon targets, tracked by the Searchlight Battalion. In 1930, the Federal Census - New York, identified 133 people living on Fort Terry. Also, in 1930, the Justice Department conducted a study to consider building a 1000-cell prison on the island. However, it was deemed impractical, and there was no further action.

During World War II, the post was put to use again, this time as a training facility and supply depot. It was also used as a look-out for German U-boats and planes. On December 7, 1941, this fort was listed as manned by the Navy Harbor Defense, 242nd Coastal Artillery Regiment. Today, on the east side of Plum Island, a network of trenches remains from the area's tenure as an artillery post. The fort was once again declared surplus in 1948.

Beginning April 15, 1952, it served as a U.S. Army Chemical Corps facility. As a Chemical Corps facility, it was under the control of the First Army. Fort Terry was small and focused primarily on anti-animal biological warfare (BW) research aimed at enemy livestock. Anti-animal agents rinderpest and foot and mouth disease were the main areas of research. When the decision to use the Fort as a research facility was planned, it was envisioned that it would be staffed by less than 20 personnel. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) took over the island in 1954 and began to use it as an animal disease research center. It was then staffed by at least 9 military and 8 civilian employees. Most of the original buildings and batteries still stand today and in many cases have been incorporated in one way or another into the island's new role as a disease research center. Most of the disease research done by the USDA was also focused on biological warfare until Richard Nixon ended the U.S. bio-weapons program in 1969. The facilities continued to be operated by the USDA until June 2003, when the responsibility for Plum Island and its security was transferred to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.