Fort Flagler, along with the heavy batteries of Fort Worden and Fort Casey, guarded the entrance to Puget Sound. These

posts, established in the late 1890s, became the first line of a fortification system designed to prevent a hostile fleet from

reaching such targets as the Bremerton Naval Yard and the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia and Everett. Construction began

in 1897. By 1900, the initial installation of armament was completed along with barracks for the 3rd Artillery Unit. Final

construction was completed in 1907. Fort Flagler was placed on caretaker status in 1937 and many of the original buildings

were removed. In 1940, 24 new buildings were constructed. Men from the Harbor Defense of the Puget Sound, including the

14th and the Coast Artillery Regiments, moved in until 1943. From 1945 until 1954, the Fort was used for training engineers

and amphibious military units. It was closed June 7, 1953 and purchased as a state park in 1955. The park was named after

Brigadier General Daniel Webster Flagler on July 27, 1899.