My friend took a picture of her daughter at Fort Worden Historical State Park in Washington and noticed a man standing in the background the day after. This was taken just a few days ago. The image of the man is super clear.

The park has a dark history. The federal government acquired land from a civilian, John Alexander, and Port Townsend along Admiralty Inlet in 1897. Fort Worden was founded in 1898 to help with the defense of Puget Sound from enemy invasion. It was part of the “Triangle of Fire,” along with Fort Flagler and Fort Casey. By 1902, the Army equipped with the most powerful artillery of its time. Disappearing guns would jut out from concrete batteries to destroy any enemy vessels that may try to attack Everett, Seattle and Tacoma.

But the conditions at the fort drove many men to abandon their posts and go AWOL. The long blustery winters and isolation took their toll on our soldiers.

Over the years, numerous murders, accidental deaths and suicides happened at the fort. Some of the most infamous include the murder of Cpl. Henry Johnson, the suicide of Captain Frank Thornton, and the accidental drowning of William Payne.

In the 1970s it was converted to a youth detention center for trouble people. It looks like he’s from that period.