Fort Peterson was one of a string of forts constructed in 1862-63 by troops during the Civil War known as the Northern Border Brigade. Fort Peterson's blockhouse is the only remaining vestige of the entire fortification chain. The structure contained nearly all of its original building material, but was in urgent need of restoration to save it from further deteriation.
In the spring of 1985, Peterson Heritage began restoration. The project included completely dismantling the structure and replacing the rotted wood with native hand-hewn oak logs. After careful study of the original plans and copies of dispatches from the state archives, the task of putting it back together as it was originally built began. Close scrutiny of the logs themselves also helped provide clues to the original appearance of the building. The blockhouse was reconstructed on the Park Street Boulevard, the approximate area where the Fort Peterson stockade and fort were erected.
Peterson Heritage continues the work to preserve the blockhouse. With time there is more restoration work needed, therefore their restoration efforts are a constant work in progress.
