Fort Boreman Hill encompasses almost 250 acres, though Fort Boreman itself, with its gun stations, powder magazine, and winter quarters, occupied only a small portion of the hill. The hill's natural feature, panoramic views, and commanding position above the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers drew military use during the war and had earlier encouraged Indians to establish camps there. About one-half mile to the east, on a ridge overlooking South Parkersburg, stood the Pest House, built by the City of Parkersburg in 1867 to quarantine victims of smallpox and other contagious diseases; known locally as the house of doom, it saw many patients die and be buried in the pest house cemetery. Near the entry road was also the site of the 1867 hangings of Daniel Grogan, Thomas Boice, and Mortimer Gibbony, convicted of murdering Abram Deem, a well-respected Wood County farmer and Confederate sympathizer; despite local lore about a hanging tree, they were executed from a scaffold. In 1893 Gustavus Fries built Fries Park on a knoll on the western side of Fort Boreman Hill, with ten-pin bowling lanes, a dance hall, concession stand, and picnic areas, and it also hosted musical concerts and prize fights before remaining active into the 1940s. For thousands of years, Fort Boreman Hill has served many purposes, including defense, camping, quarantine, executions, and recreation.