Fort Reno Park

Did the earth tremble here at Fort Reno Park? Not from an earthquake, but from the roar of cannons. Fort Reno Park, perched atop the highest natural point in Washington D.C., wasn’t always a peaceful green space. It was once Fort Reno, the largest fort in the city’s Civil War defenses. Imagine, in 1861, the hurried construction. The Pennsylvania Reserves, scrambling to fortify the capital after the First Battle of Bull Run, carved earthen ramparts into this very hill. The Dyer family farmhouse, which stood nearby, became the army headquarters. This strategic location, originally named Fort Pennsylvania, overlooked three crucial roads converging in Tenleytown, offering unparalleled views. It was renamed Fort Reno in 1863 to honor Major General Jesse Lee Reno. Fort Reno bristled with twelve heavy siege guns and housed 3,000 men. During the Battle of Fort Stevens in July 1864, Fort Reno played a key role. Confederate troops, advancing from the northwest, were first spotted by lookouts here. The fort’s powerful cannons roared to life, forcing the Confederate forces to shift their attack eastward to Fort Stevens. While Fort Reno saw no direct combat during that battle, its strategic position and artillery fire were instrumental in defending the capital. After the war, the fort was decommissioned, the land returned to the Dyer family. The earthen walls remained, silent witnesses to the tumultuous past. But the story doesn’t end there. A vibrant, predominantly African American neighborhood known as Reno City, later simply Reno, sprang up within the former fort’s boundaries. Homes, churches, and a school, the Jesse Reno School which still stands today, filled the landscape. This community thrived until the mid-20th century, when it was sadly displaced to make way for the park and other government facilities. Today, Fort Reno Park offers more than just scenic views and recreational activities. It’s a place layered with history, echoing with the stories of soldiers, families, and a community lost and remembered. As you stand here, imagine the echoes of those cannons, the bustling life of Reno City, and the quiet resilience of a hill that has witnessed so much. The highest point in D.C. isn’t just a geographical marker. It’s a testament to a rich and complex past.