FORT WASHINGTON ESTATES CIVIC ASSOCIATION​

in 1794, he directed Secretary of War Henry Knox to construct a fortification on the site. After the War of 1812, Thomas Digges hosted Major Pierre L’Enfant while he drafted plans for the reconstruction of Fort Washington. Unfortunately, the Digges family mansion was ultimately destroyed in 1819.

 

By 1954, the part of the historic Warburton Manor site that was not already included in Fort Washington National Park was acquired by Washington, D.C. real estate developer Matthew Mezzanotte. Three years later, the new Fort Washington Estates Corporation advertised the opening of operations. Some of the first streets of the community were named after subjects related to this early Maryland history and the Fort—Calvert, Kings, Queens and Park Lane; L’Enfant, Warburton and Washington Drive.  Mr. Mezzanotte built one of the first homes that year on Reid Circle for Dr. Helen Dwight Reid, a major benefactor of his. Although Dr. Reid never lived in Captain’s Cove, three streets are named after her—Reid Circle, Reid Lane and Reid Terrace. A political science professor and philanthropist, she was killed in a 1965 bus-pedestrian accident in the District of Columbia. The model home located at 13507 Reid Circle, is a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired midcentury modern designed home, currently privately owned and designated a Prince George’s County Historic Site. Also that year, the Piscataway Bay waterfront, where the Fort Washington Marina is now located, was the scene for the filming of the movie “House Boat” which starred Sophia Loren and Carey Grant. One year later in 1958, Mr. Mezzanotte sold a portion of that waterfront land to the Fort Washington Marina Association.

 

After January 1959, the Samuel George family settled in the community and was instrumental in the formation of the Fort Washington Estates Citizens Association (FWECA). Later that year the Association was incorporated with 16 members and Mr. George became its first President.  In 1961, the ownership of the marina land was transferred to the National Park Service and Piscataway Park was created with the marina within its confines. The National Park Service in turn leased the land to the State of Maryland until the lease recently ended. To accommodate larger boats, Piscataway Bay was dredged and sediment piped to an upland area that is now the community known as Waterford Cove. Ownership of Fort Washington Estates was then transferred in 1962 to real estate developer Sidney J. Brown. A year later, one of the builders, R. C. Thurner, constructed a number of model homes and changed the name of Fort Washington Estates to Captain’s Cove, a name better known locally. In 1964, the “Parade of Homes” was held in Captain’s Cove with twenty new homes on display. By 1967, nearly 500 acres of as yet undeveloped land were bought at foreclosure by the Teamsters’ Union Pension Fund. Running some five miles between Old Fort Road and Piscataway Creek, this land was purchased by the Hampton Park Corporation in 1981. Captain’s Cove continues to grow with homes now built on Treehouse Court, Old Fort Road, Washington Drive, Digges Lane, Digges Terrace and Washington Terrace. These homes are part of Captain’s Cove and households in these newer sections can elect to join FWECA.

 

Other Neighborhood Attractions

 

Fort Washington National Park

​

The original fort was completed in 1809 and initially known as Fort Warburton. Built to defend the Potomac River approach to Washington, D.C., it was destroyed by its own garrison in 1814 as the British approached the capital city. Within two weeks, Major Pierre L’Enfant was sent to construct new defenses. Ten years later, the newly improved Fort Washington went on to defend this portion of the river and the District of Columbia not only during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), but also during the American Civil War (1861-1865). In 1872 the garrison was removed and additional property was purchased to construct a new defense system. However, funds for the project were withdrawn and the post was abandoned for the next twenty years. The new defense system, consisting of rifled steel guns in concrete emplacements, was finally authorized in 1886, with work beginning in 1892, but not completed until 1903. Interestingly enough, prior to World War I (1914-1918), Fort Washington was downgraded to harbor defense and the fort’s large guns removed. During the war, the post was used as a staging area for troops being sent to France. Once again, the post was abandoned in 1939 and turned over to the Director of Public Buildings for use as a terminal point for a bridge across the Potomac River with a parkway to be built along the shoreline. Before the transfer was complete, the United States entered World War II (1941-1945). The Fort became active again during the second World War as the home of the Army Adjutant General’s School. After the war, the Veterans Administration managed the post’s hospital with other government agencies occupying some of the buildings. By 1946, Fort Washington became the responsibility of the Department of the Interior/The U.S. National Park Service (NPS).  Scattered throughout the Fort’s 341 acres are eight concrete batteries while one hundred and thirty acres are open, grassy areas primarily devoted to recreational activities, such as fishing, picnicking and sports. There are over two miles of hiking trails that traverse some of the more prominent natural features of the parkland and the river. Park Rangers and historic re-enactors regularly hold special demonstrations and living history programs during summer and fall weekends. There is also a Visitor’s Center with an exhibit area, a short video of the history of the Fort and park as well as a Gift Shop.

 

Captain’s Cove Community Park

​

Centrally located on Warburton Drive at the foot of Queens Lane, the park offers a picnic table, playground equipment, a fenced roller blade court—ideal for teaching youngsters how to ride bicycles—plus, a hiking trail, 1/3 mile long, with exercise stations. In the spring the hiking trail is especially beautiful because the community has planted over 500 bulbs along the way.

 

Fort Washington Marina

​

This facility is part of Piscataway Park and is owned and operated by the National Park Service. In 2006, the marina underwent an extensive expansion and upgrading of its piers and facilities. The marina is now full-service with 300 slips that will accommodate boats up to 60 feet in length, a launching ramp, 35-ton traveling hoist and complete marine services for power and sailing boats. The newly remodeled Proud Mary Waterfront Restaurant & Bar offers several dining areas, a Tiki Bar and a wonderful view of the Piscataway Bay.

 

Fort Washington Pool Association

​

Operating in Captain’s Cove since 1969, the Pool Association is a member-operated facility supported by share owners, annual dues and volunteer labor. Located immediately adjacent to the Fort Washington Marina, the Association offers a 25-meter pool, wading pool, a snack bar/meeting room at the main facility, tennis courts and a private beach area situated on Piscataway Bay. The beach has two sundecks overlooking the bay, barbeque grills as well as a dock that extends into the bay with a floating platform, small watercraft storage and a boat ramp. It also offers members boat storage for watercraft on trailers. The Association sponsors The Sharks Swim Team for children and teenagers, 4 to 18 years of age. In fact, a Sharks team member, Mark Henderson (family home on Warburton Drive), won countless first place medals regularly setting new Sharks team records. Mark became a member of the United States Olympic Swim Team, representing the country in the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, GA. He won an Olympic gold medal while on the USA relay team in the 4x100-meter medley relay race setting the World, Olympic, North American and U.S. Open Records. Pool season begins on Memorial Day (May) and closes Labor Day (September) weekend.