Russian Fort Elizabeth
Address:
Description:
Just east of the Waimea River, the Russian Fort Elizabeth still guards the entrance of historic Waimea Town. Built in 1817 and sort of shaped like an eight pointed star, the fort was built by a German doctor named Georg Anton Schaeffer in the name of Czar Nicholas of Russia. Names after the Russian's daughter, he pulled his support and eventually Schaeffer was kicked off the island.The fort was dismantled in 1864 when almost 40 guns were removed. Now crumbled rock, the walls were once 30 feet thick, but are an important part of Waimea's history. There is a structure at the entrance that is loaded with information about the fort, and brochures are sometimes available. The park offers bathrooms and a nice grassy lawn.
