Aerial Photograph of the Fort Trumbull Area
Dating to the American Revolution, Fort Trumbull has served as the hub of military action for centuries. Today, it is a Connecticut State Park, where the historic structure of the fort is preserved, and a visitor center displays the defense history of the site.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington D.C.
In the 1970s, the city of New London proposed a restoration of the historic Fort Trumbull. This architects’ survey report includes a historical background, development and organization proposals, and design recommendations. In the 1990s, the Fort Trumbull District would become embroiled in controversy over another redevelopment plan that led to the historic Kelo v. New London U.S. Supreme Court decision (2005).
Linda Lear Center for Special Collections and Archives
Fort Trumbull Coast Guard Base, New London, Conn.
In 1910, U.S. Coast Guard Academy Cadets sailed the Itasca (a tall ship similar to the ones seen in this postcard) to Fort Trumbull, claiming it for the Academy. When the school moved in 1932, Fort Trumbull became the official U.S. Coast Guard Station. Today, the base remains in the same location—a reminder of New London’s key role in the national security and maritime safety of our nation.