By 1938, the Navy took over the fort after tests had shown that it was an
outstanding location to eavesdrop on radio communication transmitted
from the Far East - Japan. This was the beginning of the development of
Fort Ward as a top-secret listening post for the Pacific.
Through the end of WWII, men and women worked 24-hours a day at Fort Ward,
intercepting Japanese Morse code and sending it on to Washington, DC. These Naval
Cryptologists were sworn to secrecy.
After WWII, the fort became an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, then was closed in
the 1950's. The state government bought some land for a park that remains today. Over
the years, some of the buildings have been converted into homes, and the entire area has
been designated a National Historic Site - the only one of its kind on Bainbridge Island.
History of Fort Ward
Silent Heroes of WW II
Parade Grounds Dedication
