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The federal government aquired the land for Fort Foster in 1872. Between 1873 and 1876 Battery Berry was planned, but it was never fully completed. After 1879 it was abandoned. In 1899 construction was started on new batteries to protect the Naval Shipyard. In 1900 this sub-post of Fort Constitution was officially named Fort Foster. Battery Bohlen was completed in 1902. Battery Chapin was completed in 1904, the Secondary Mine Observation Station was built in 1909 built behind Battery Chapin and was used to triangulate the position of ships in the harbor. The pier was also built during this time, but the one standing now was rebuilt. The fort was garrisoned by the 124th Company, USCoast Artillery Corps between 1905 and 1907, and besides 1917 through 1919 during WWI it was never manned by more than a caretaker unit. During WWI the guns of Battery Bohlen were removed and were supposed to be used in France, but it never happened. In 1920 they were reinstalled, but never worked right afterwards. Also in 1920, a Coincidence Range-Finder Station was built on top of Battery Chapin. During 1920 two searchlights were also kept at the fort, which were moved to NY in 1921. Also in 1921, a secondary fire-control station was built, which is now on private property. In 1922 a searchlight shelter was built next to Battery Bohlen. Also in 1922, the ammunition hoists in Battery Bohlen were replaced. In 1940 the Army decided to build a new battery at the fort. In 1942 they bought land which used to hold the Pocahontas Hotel between 1885 and 1921, but this battery, though not yet completed, was decomissioned in 1944. Between 1943 and 1946 an Anti Motor Torpedo Boat Battery 952 operated in front of Battery Bohlen, protecting the anti-submarine net which stretched across the harbor. The cribworks for the net can still be seen streched from Fort Foster to Wood Island. The fort was closed in 1948 and the weapons scrapped. During the 1950's the fort was used for recreation by the Navy Shipyard employees. The lower level of Battery Bohlen was filled in during the later part of the 1980's. Though the site is a park, all the buildings are closed to the public, exept the Mine Observation Tower, which is now restrooms. From the fort you can see the other forts protecting Portsmouth Harbor, including Fort Constitution and Fort Stark across the harbor. 
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