Station 7

7. Spring

Fort Duffield Spring

“Cut from Stone, Carved by Resolve”

In the winter of 1861–1862, Union soldiers of the 9th Michigan Infantry carved this spring into the hillside north of Fort Duffield. Using hand tools and black powder, they blasted through limestone to create a reliable source of fresh water—essential for survival atop Muldraugh Hill.

🔹 Soldier-Crafted Engineering Drill marks and a hand-cut channel remain visible today, guiding overflow from one basin to another. These features reflect the ingenuity and grit of men who built not just a fort, but a lifeline.

🔹 A Quiet Testament Though no longer part of the public trail due to safety concerns, the spring endures as a symbol of endurance and foresight. It was never just water—it was hope in stone.

“We built high above the river, but it was the spring that kept us alive.” — Attributed to a soldier of the 9th Michigan Infantry