Fort Ward was a US Army post. Construction begain in 1900 and the post was operational shortly afterwards. The fort included a battery and a torppedo facility across Rich Passage at Middle Point. The upper fort had Officers Quarters, barracks, parade ground, hospital and Quartermaster storeroom. Four gun batteries totalling 11 guns made up the defensive capabilitiies along with torpedoes (mines) and submarine nets. Battery Thornburgh was a 4 gun, 3inch fast firing battery. The guns were removed by 1920s and the army had practially abandoned the site by 1932. In 1938 the US Navy started a radio operators "school" at the fort and operated a radio listening post into the early 1950's. Now a City of Bainbridge Island park it is place to relax and hike forested trails and shoreline.
If starting at the parking lot make sure to find the trailhead. Bushwhacking not reccomended.