Fort Saulsbury was constructed in 1917 as a coastal defense fortification of the U.S. Army. It was named for Willard Saulsbury, U.S. Senator from Delaware from 1859 to 1871. Two batteries were located within the fort, each with two 12-inch gun emplacements. The north battery was named for Col. David Hall and the south for Col. John Haslet, heroes of the Revolution. After the guns were removed during World War II, the fort was converted into a Prisoner of War camp. Up to 300 prisoners were housed there at a time and provided labor for a variety of local agricultural activities. Fort Saulsbury was deactivated in 1946 and sold as surplus property in 1948.