Fort Nonsense (Morristown, New Jersey)
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Fort Nonsense
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Cannon at Fort Nonsense
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 Location in Morris County, New Jersey
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| Coordinates | 40°47′37″N 74°29′18″W / 40.7936°N 74.4883°WCoordinates: 40°47′37″N 74°29′18″W / 40.7936°N 74.4883°W |
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| Part of | Morristown National Historical Park (#66000053) |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Fort Nonsense is one of four sites comprising the Morristown National Historical Park, in Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey, United States. Two other sites in Morris County are the Ford Mansion and Jockey Hollow. The fourth is the New Jersey Brigade Encampment Site in Bernardsville, Somerset County.
Fort Nonsense occupies a high hilltop overlooking Morristown, and is believed to have been the site of a signal fire or smoke signal, along with earthworks. It was originally built at the order of General George Washington in 1777 for use during the American Revolutionary War that began in 1775 and was ended in 1783 by the Treaty of Paris.
The derivation of the name "Fort Nonsense" is unknown. Researchers say it does not appear in any known document before 1833. The often cited story is that Washington's original purpose for constructing the fort was to keep the American troops busy and out of trouble; however, Washington's intention is reportedly disclosed by an order in 1777, issued as he moved the Continental Army to the Middlebrook encampment. In the order he directed Jeremiah Olney to remain behind at Morristown and, in his words, "[with] the Militia now here . . . Guard the Stores of different kinds . . . Strengthen the Works already begun upon the Hill near this place, and erect such others as are necessary for the better defending of it, that it may become a safe retreat in case of Necessity."
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