Fort Revere Fort Revere is an historic site situated on a small peninsula located in Hull , Massachusetts . It is situated on Telegraph Hill in Hull Village and houses the remains of two seacoast fortifications , a water tower with an observation deck , a military history museum and picnic facilities . It is operated as Fort Revere Park by the Metropolitan Park System of Greater Boston . History . Fort Revere was called Fort Independence and later named in honor of Paul Revere . It was used to protect Boston Harbor dating from the American Revolution through World War II . Following the decommissioning of the fort in 1947 , efforts begun during the United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976 resulted in the fort ' s restoration and the installation of amphitheaters within the walls of the disused fortification . Military Chronology . 1632 - The Hull peninsula , most likely at Telegraph Hill , was first considered by Governor Winthrop as an outer harbor defense for Boston . Deferred in favor of the 1634 works at Castle Island in South Boston . 1673 - An early warning beacon is established at Telegraph Hill to alert Boston of potential Dutch or French naval attacks . 1696 Nantasket / Telegraph Hill beacon is erected during King William ' s War to forewarn against French revenge for the New England ' s raids into Canada . 1704 - Hull , and most notably Telegraph Hill are used as a rendezvous camp for Church ' s northern expedition during Queen Anne ' s War . 1775 - National Register Nomination notes " Fort Independence was built on top of Telegraph Hill just prior to the Revolution . " Citation is lacking , and documentation for pre - war construction by Crown , Province or rebels aside from the register is currently unavailable . 1776 - Telegraph Hill was probably first fortified by rebel forces shortly after the conclusion of Washington ' s siege of Boston . Sources suggest that an earthwork battery fired on the blockading British fleet in June 1776 . This work later saluted American Independence on July 17 , 1776 . 1777 - January of this year , Committee reports note that a ditched pentagonal fort with 15 embrasures stood at Hull . Supported by two detached water batteries , the fort still needed a glacis , powder magazine , guardhouse , and several barracks . A military hospital was located near the fort . July of this year 575 troops and local militia were stationed at Hull ' s defenses . 1778 - The winter season brought reports from the Commander that the works mounted 22 pieces ranging from 42pdr to 3pdr guns . In August of that month , works at Telegraph Hill were upgraded by French Marines from D ' Estaing ' s crippled fleet . French activities presumably included the hilltop redoubt , detached batteries , a new 30 gun water battery , new barracks , hospital , and subsequent cemetery ( still visible today ) . A month later , in September , Washington assigned Chief Engineer du Portail to further strengthen the Hull defenses . The French arguably remained on the site in some shape or form through 1780 . Smallpox caused the internment of over 200 released French prisoners of war , and garrison members in the cantonment ' s cemetery . A notable survivor and commander at this site at this time was Louis Antoine de Bougainville , a contemporary of James Cook . Later in the 1780s the fortification was deactivated , and the war was over . 1810 ( s ) - It is speculated that the fortification was not fully reactivated during the war of 1812 , however that it was a viable backup in case of emergency . 1813 - Telegraph Hill was used to observe the defeat of Lawrence ' s USS Chesapeake by HMS Shannon . 1830 ( s ) - Proposals by the Corps of Engineers " Third System " of seacoast defense included outer harbor defenses at Telegraph Hill with a channel - side water battery secured by expanded fortifications atop the hill which in turn were supported by additional works on Little Hog Island , and Point Allerton . 1840 ( s ) - Telegraph hill was extensively used as semaphore / flag / electric telegraphy and radio station to notify Boston of approaching merchant vessels . An observation tower was built within the old earthworks . ( This is not the water tower seen today ) 1850 ( s ) - Telegraph Hill saw little use during the civil war other than its important and ongoing role as a surveillance and communications point . 1867 - The state militia sets up an encampment at Hull . 1885 - The Endicott Board of the War Department included the Telegraph Hill site in official plans for Boston Harbor ' s defense system . 1898 - The US Government purchased Fort Revere officially from the town , and the Massachusetts Militia , who were stationed there during the Spanish - American War . Later this year construction began on the 77 acre Fort Revere Reservation as it is known today . The site included two 6 inch batteries atop Telegraph Hill , added after the 12 and 15 inch batteries near the shoreline . The detached military post included a variety of barracks , quarters , storehouses etc . Installation of artillery fire control facilities were extensive as they most likely included slighting the channel bearing flank of the Revolutionary War earthworks . FORT REVERE ' s BATTERIES CONSISTED OF : Battery Memoriam Weapons Mounts Built Abandoned Located Sanders Civil War 3x6 " disappearing 1903 / 06 1917 / 43 Hillside Pope Civil War 3x6 " disappearing 1903 / 06 1917 Hillside Ripley War 1812 2x12 " barbette 1898 / 99 1943 Shoreline Field Mexican 2x5 " pilliar 1898 / 99 1917 Shoreline Maximum effective range c1775 = 1500yards Maximum effective range upgraded to 12 inch guns 17300 yards 1903 - A water tower with provisions for a military searchlight , was erected at Telegraph Hill within the old earthworks . 1917 - World War I finds Fort Revere an active Coast Artillery garrison , although the fort is stripped of its lighter weapons for field service in Europe . 1920 ( s ) - Anti - aircraft emplacements are installed within the earthwork compound . Historic earthworks were leveled , and the area was eventually placed on care - taker status . 1940 ( s ) - World War II established the 90mm AMTB Battery 941 at Fort Revere . Fort re - activated until end of war . 1950 ( s ) - Fort Revere was evidently excluded from either the post war anti - aircraft artillery or Nike Missile defense considerations of Boston . Municipal and private development commences at the site and several of the structures were recycled for private usage . 1970 - Two of the batteries were buried . ( Ripley and Field ) 1975 - Contract awarded to repair the water tower as part of a Bicentennial Celebration , plaque was placed in memory . 1976 - Town of Hull / Metropolitan District Commission ( now the Department of Conservation and Recreation ) dedicated Fort Independence / Fort Revere Park . 1990 ( s ) - Massachusetts Historical Commission grants award to re - roof and keep the water tower open for supervised tours . 2000 ( s ) - Debated over responsibility and ownership heat up between Town of Hull and Commonwealth of Massachusetts DCR . DCR maintains , and cleans graffiti from forts , mows lawns , and leads / supervises historic walking tours of the fort and its areas . DCR holds free movies during the summer on the parade ground and concerts in the batteries . 2010 - Town of Hull orders no more tours for summer in the tower . Park is still a viable recreational space for tourists and towns people alike . The officer ' s quarters still stands in the back and is a museum , with artillery outside , and interactive exhibits inside , open when staffing is possible Many of the residents of the park , live in former military housing , and frequent the common space during the seasons with dogs , children and other recreational activities .