SWX8578 - East Weares Rifle Range, Portland port, Portland, Dorset: English Heritage (RCHME) Level 2 Survey

This project was commissioned by Portland Port Ltd through their agents Environmental Advice Centre Ltd following advice from Steven Wallis, Dorset County Archaeological Service. The full military history of the Rifle Range has not been researched, nevertheless it is possible to outline the major phases of its development. Construction was started at some time between 1889 and 1903. By 1903, the main part of the range had been cleared and constructed. The targets were complete but the stop butt may have still been under construction. The 100 yard position had no yet been built. The only building appears to have been the Range Keeper’s Cottage. By 1920 the stop butt was complete and a target house built behind it. The 100 yard firing position had also been constructed- this was subsequently extended in length. By 1930, another building, in the same position as the present day Building 32, had been built. By 1960, a number of small buildings had been constructed along both sides of the rifle range and around its northern end. Many of these structures no longer survive. In the late 1970s and early 1980s three more explosive stores were constructed along the west side of the range. The buildings associated with the Rifle Range are not of great architectural significance and are typical military buildings of the later 20th century. The earthworks, in particular the stop butt, are impressive feats of late 19th/ early 20th century military engineering.