I am an airline captain who has spent most of my career based in PHL. I got interested in fort mifflin in the mid 90’s after flying over it all of the time. Fort Mifflin along with the Pennsylvania state navy truly played a pivotal role in in allowing the continental army to retreat to there winter encampment at Valley Forge. The footnote to the story is that the army that retreated to Valley Forge was not the same army that came out after the winter. They spent the winter training, organizing and becoming a professional modern army. All of this was possible because of the defense of the Delaware by Fort Mifflin. Many interesting stories about the entire history of Fort Mifflin. Thanks for posting the video!
It’s a hidden gem, I was there Sunday. That area that you couldn’t go in was found in 2006 when the lawnmower guy saw a sinkhole open up. It was used as solitary confinement at one point. A narrow hall ran along side what looked like 1-2 cells. We turned the lights out and filmed.
I grew up in Southwest Philly back in the 60s. Fort Mifflin was really dilapidated back then. My father and I use to shoot our BB and pellet guns there. I stumbled upon your UA-cam channel a few weeks ago. My wife and I stayed at the Summit Hotel in Farmington, PA. We saw your videos and visited Jumanville Glen, Braddock's grave and Fort Necessity while there. I now live in Berks County and I am a math teacher. But I love historical events and visiting historical places. We actually lived on a farm in Mt. Aetna, off of route 501, for a couple of years near where you grew up. You do a great job with your videos. Keep up the great work!
I have enjoyed this series more than you will ever know! Thank you Cliff for the history lessons, for the very interesting places you have taken us to, and the enjoyment that we have gotten out of it !😀
Fort Mifflin! A super interesting and underrated place. Used to come explore here ever year with my family. Most Philadelphians don't even know of it's existence. You can feel those low flying planes right through your phone, lol. Lots of reported paranormal activity there as well. Glad you are giving the old fort some publicity they have historically suffered from lack of funding. Great video!
TAPS was there, investigating alleged haunting, there is tunnel that was found no one knew about it, it was creepy down there. I live in Philly and never been there, I’ll need to go there in the fall when it’s cooler! Happy trails!!
thanks again Cliff for taking me to see a part of history that I will never on my own make it to, I absolutely love your channel, like I have said you take me to some of the most beautiful lands that I will never be able to visit, I thank you so much for sharing these amazing places!
A forgotten gem regrettably. The airport landing strip is literally on the other side of the Fort across the Hog Island Rd. Mifflin probably serves as a marker for the pilots coming in so they are sure of the altitude they need to be at on approach. Federal Land on the other side of the fenced path that is closed off. Thanks for showcasing this historic site that served so well in American History
Anyone who would like to see this from the air, get a window seat on the left side of the plane next time you fly into PHL. Unless they reverse approach direction due to winds you get a brief look right before wheels down. Sparks shot tower is just up the road and is very cool history as well.
I was at Fort Mifflin that place is haunted! I kid you not I never felt such a strong presence of sprits In my life. Lots of death in one of those bunkers where lots of men died from cannon fire. I will never go their at night tours. That was a pretty bad war their. Scared the bejebus out of Me! 😱
Thanks for another fantastic video. The fort was fabulous. Just love the history, loved the planes but prefer trains. Thanks so much for taking me along. Please stay safe and take care
I spent the first 30 years of life living in NE Philly. I never even heard of this place until a year before I moved to SC. if I had known about this place years before I would’ve visited regularly. It’s such a cool place and so vast and peaceful…except when the planes are landing right across the street but that’s also pretty kewl.
Thank you for taking us with you to Fort Mifflin. Very interesting historical place. I’ve been to valley forge and it’s beautiful there. Really neat old cemeteries.
Beautiful views of the river. Went with my sons class trip about 10 years ago. Was right after the grounds keeper fell into a new bunker. Lots of ghost stories. 👻
Never knew that Fort was there, lived in Chester Co, Been to airport, Philies games . Even been by it in a Cabin boat. . I have been to Fort Delaware down river from there. Thanks for the history lesson.
I believe that you are correct that all the brick structures are post-Revolutionary War. Most look like the brick fortifications constructed before the War of 1812, then update sporadically until after the Civil War.
Unaware of this fort. Thanks for sharing the history. Cannon placements are sometimes called mounts or turrets if it rotates. Beautiful fort. Hope the fix it up. Stay well and be safe.
While in the area you might want to check out the national cemetery at Finn's Point, NJ. A mass grave for the 2200 Confederate prisoners who died while at Fort Delaware. Also, there about 9 graves off in one corner from WWll of German prisoners who died there.
if you ever find yourself along Lake Ontario in NY, Fort Ontario in Oswego is pretty awesome. You can get into almost all the buildings, and inside the walls. Its only $4 which I thought was too cheap
Theyve had 2 fires. One in the 70s that destroyed the citadel/commandants house in the middle and then a second one recently like 10 years ago that damaged the officers quarters. Both happened during boy scout camping trips...shockingly
Did you see the article where a professor hiking in Nevada was missing for a fee days? He did stay near water and rationed a bar. Left his pack near trail so it could be seen. Wondering if he had a whistle. Do you carry a whistle? It can be blown every so often, thus allerting seekers. Should be worn around the neck to be ready at a moments notice.
That whole fort should have already been restored/preserved! Look at the trash on the river bank…yuck! Pennsylvania doesn’t take care of it’s buildings, roads, historical sites, rivers, etc….
I am an airline captain who has spent most of my career based in PHL. I got interested in fort mifflin in the mid 90’s after flying over it all of the time. Fort Mifflin along with the Pennsylvania state navy truly played a pivotal role in in allowing the continental army to retreat to there winter encampment at Valley Forge. The footnote to the story is that the army that retreated to Valley Forge was not the same army that came out after the winter. They spent the winter training, organizing and becoming a professional modern army. All of this was possible because of the defense of the Delaware by Fort Mifflin. Many interesting stories about the entire history of Fort Mifflin. Thanks for posting the video!
It’s a hidden gem, I was there Sunday. That area that you couldn’t go in was found in 2006 when the lawnmower guy saw a sinkhole open up. It was used as solitary confinement at one point. A narrow hall ran along side what looked like 1-2 cells. We turned the lights out and filmed.
I grew up in Southwest Philly back in the 60s. Fort Mifflin was really dilapidated back then. My father and I use to shoot our BB and pellet guns there. I stumbled upon your UA-cam channel a few weeks ago. My wife and I stayed at the Summit Hotel in Farmington, PA. We saw your videos and visited Jumanville Glen, Braddock's grave and Fort Necessity while there. I now live in Berks County and I am a math teacher. But I love historical events and visiting historical places. We actually lived on a farm in Mt. Aetna, off of route 501, for a couple of years near where you grew up. You do a great job with your videos. Keep up the great work!
That's so interesting. They just let it go to ruin?
I have enjoyed this series more than you will ever know! Thank you Cliff for the history lessons, for the very interesting places you have taken us to, and the enjoyment that we have gotten out of it !😀
What series is this a part of? Couldn't find a playlist.
Flew over this fort 2 times flying into Philly Airport impressive overhead!
Fort Mifflin! A super interesting and underrated place. Used to come explore here ever year with my family. Most Philadelphians don't even know of it's existence. You can feel those low flying planes right through your phone, lol. Lots of reported paranormal activity there as well. Glad you are giving the old fort some publicity they have historically suffered from lack of funding. Great video!
So glad to see you in Philla area. There is alot of history here. Fort Mifflin does a lot of historical re-enactments well worth seeing
TAPS was there, investigating alleged haunting, there is tunnel that was found no one knew about it, it was creepy down there. I live in Philly and never been there, I’ll need to go there in the fall when it’s cooler! Happy trails!!
thanks again Cliff for taking me to see a part of history that I will never on my own make it to, I absolutely love your channel, like I have said you take me to some of the most beautiful lands that I will never be able to visit, I thank you so much for sharing these amazing places!
A forgotten gem regrettably. The airport landing strip is literally on the other side of the Fort across the Hog Island Rd. Mifflin probably serves as a marker for the pilots coming in so they are sure of the altitude they need to be at on approach. Federal Land on the other side of the fenced path that is closed off. Thanks for showcasing this historic site that served so well in American History
Anyone who would like to see this from the air, get a window seat on the left side of the plane next time you fly into PHL. Unless they reverse approach direction due to winds you get a brief look right before wheels down.
Sparks shot tower is just up the road and is very cool history as well.
I was at Fort Mifflin that place is haunted! I kid you not I never felt such a strong presence of sprits In my life. Lots of death in one of those bunkers where lots of men died from cannon fire. I will never go their at night tours. That was a pretty bad war their. Scared the bejebus out of Me! 😱
Ghost Hunters had a TV episode there
ENCHANTING ! 💛
I would love to explore Fort Mifflin, but this is the next best thing for me! Plus, Dan Bell said it's haunted, even though he's a skeptic...👻💀👻
It is! Saw it on Ghost Hunters. 👻
Underground was very cool!! Loved this! Very interesting. Thanks🥰
Thanks for another fantastic video. The fort was fabulous. Just love the history, loved the planes but prefer trains. Thanks so much for taking me along. Please stay safe and take care
Great job on this. The Civil War played a role too. When I was there a reinactor Mary Edwards Campbell had some great insights..
Let's hear them
Hi Cliff, a very cool place to go visit apart from the planes every few minutes.
Thanks for sharing, much love. xx 💖
I have never heard of Fort Mifflin. Thank you Cliff for the history lesson and for the trip to see it.
I spent the first 30 years of life living in NE Philly. I never even heard of this place until a year before I moved to SC. if I had known about this place years before I would’ve visited regularly. It’s such a cool place and so vast and peaceful…except when the planes are landing right across the street but that’s also pretty kewl.
1:36 - Reminds me of when I lived on the approach path to ORD in unincorporated Des Plaines, IL...
I was lucky enough to work on the restoration of this fort
Glad you visited here Cliff. Quite an impressive fort. Can't imagine being a prisoner in the catacombs! Thx
Thank you for taking us with you to Fort Mifflin. Very interesting historical place. I’ve been to valley forge and it’s beautiful there. Really neat old cemeteries.
Beautiful views of the river. Went with my sons class trip about 10 years ago. Was right after the grounds keeper fell into a new bunker. Lots of ghost stories. 👻
Never knew that Fort was there, lived in Chester Co, Been to airport, Philies games . Even been by it in a Cabin boat. . I have been to Fort Delaware down river from there. Thanks for the history lesson.
wow - amazing history! thank you.
I lived and studied history here in Phila and most people dont know about this hidden gem
Have ya ever wondered how many cannonballs are in the river?
I believe that you are correct that all the brick structures are post-Revolutionary War. Most look like the brick fortifications constructed before the War of 1812, then update sporadically until after the Civil War.
Unaware of this fort. Thanks for sharing the history. Cannon placements are sometimes called mounts or turrets if it rotates. Beautiful fort. Hope the fix it up. Stay well and be safe.
Good old Fort Mifflin; home of vicious mosquitos, demonic spirits, and a roaming Sasquatch who goes by the name of Doc Johnson
Spent many a re-enactment night in the fort, both Civil War and Rev War. The stories I could tell you about that place.
Let's hear them. P.S. I live near WEST Mifflin Pa. I guess Thomas Mifflin owned land here
Supposedly those steps you found go to a tunnel that connects underwater to the other fort in New Jersey
While in the area you might want to check out the national cemetery at Finn's Point, NJ. A mass grave for the 2200 Confederate prisoners who died while at Fort Delaware. Also, there about 9 graves off in one corner from WWll of German prisoners who died there.
It's on my list.
Please go to the NJ pine Barrens, lots of history there and very outdoorsy
I'll get there eventually.
if you ever find yourself along Lake Ontario in NY, Fort Ontario in Oswego is pretty awesome. You can get into almost all the buildings, and inside the walls. Its only $4 which I thought was too cheap
When I go there I’ll be sure and bring a flashlight, I’m in Philly , Neshaminy Park is closer to me than Ft. Mifflin.All in the fall, too hot now!!
Theyve had 2 fires. One in the 70s that destroyed the citadel/commandants house in the middle and then a second one recently like 10 years ago that damaged the officers quarters. Both happened during boy scout camping trips...shockingly
Interesting modern air planes flying over an old fort. We have come a long way.
Fort seems strikingly similar to Fort McHenry. Are they “sister installations” or just similar due to time period?
11:30 the Army corp of engineers have 'fort' there too. They did a lot.of the recent dredging work done on the Delaware
this place needs a flag
Have you ever been to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie in Charleston SC? Both would make great videos.
Not yet
I hope one day you and Townsends cross roads.
I counted 14 planes ...busy place ...
Might be the smell from the sewage composting in Philly. LOL
This airport runway is busy today.
0:37 used to be the Forts hospital
Did you see the article where a professor hiking in Nevada was missing for a fee days? He did stay near water and rationed a bar. Left his pack near trail so it could be seen. Wondering if he had a whistle. Do you carry a whistle? It can be blown every so often, thus allerting seekers. Should be worn around the neck to be ready at a moments notice.
...and he was found at Ft. Mifflin?
At 14:06 time frame the floor grate was water for torpedoes
That whole fort should have already been restored/preserved! Look at the trash on the river bank…yuck! Pennsylvania doesn’t take care of it’s buildings, roads, historical sites, rivers, etc….
I wounder what they would have thought if a jet plane would have flown over back then when the war was being fought
Why would they build so close to an airport ? 😁
That's what Tump was talking about when he said "The Continental Army held the airports
What would the round holes in the walls of the arsenal be for?
Not sure.
I go there every year in October you they have a bunch of ghost hunters come in and you stay all night and it’s really fun
You can sleep there for $90 per person/min 10 people or if less than 10 people still pay the $900 and they will let you stay.
This place is haunted he's at in this video
Yea ther was concrete look at the bricks. See that between them what is that oh man .yea ther was concrete.