AMMC News :

Historic Forts
 
With the advent of settlements in the Islands of The Bahamas, there was a need to protect the inhabitants from invasions by various fractioning powers.  Throughout the islands are remnants of military installations of mounted guns, cannons, batteries and fortifications. 

The most significant sites are the Fort Charlotte complex, on West Bay Street comprising Charlotte, d’Arcy and Stanley and the advanced guardhouse.  A barracks once stood on the site of the parking lot.  Fort Fincastle, in the heart of downtown Nassau, shares Bennett’s Hill with the Water Tower and overlooks the Queen’s Staircase. It was during the governorship of Lord Dunmore that most of the forts were built. Fort Montagu the earliest remaining fort stands just off East Bay Street and across the harbour from Paradise Island.   Most of the islands in the archipelago have some remnants of a military site be it battery or gun mount.  Winton Battery is on the eastern end of New Providence and the remains of the Hog Island Battery are still on Paradise Island as is Bladen’s Battery at Potter’s Cay just east of the Paradise Island Bridge.

Today these sites are major attractions restored with exhibits and generally open for public viewing.