By the 1870s, the U.S. Army largely abandoned the site. For decades, the fort fell into disrepair. Brickwork crumbled, vegetation overtook the ramparts, and local residents scavenged materials for building projects.
Yet the fort’s location retained strategic and aesthetic value. Its lonely presence at the river’s mouth inspired artists, writers, and travelers who visited the decaying ruins in the early 20th century.
The Spanish–American War and Renewed Interest
In 1898, during the Spanish–American War, the Army briefly reoccupied Fort Clinch as a communications post. Soldiers installed telegraph lines and coastal observation points, though the fort itself saw no combat.
After the war, the site once again lapsed into silence. However, the renewed military use rekindled local interest in its preservation. The early 20th century brought a growing appreciation for America’s historical landmarks, and Fort Clinch, though dilapidated, was recognized as a rare surviving Third System fort. shutdown123