Fort Norfolk (Norfolk, Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Norfolk |
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Plan of Fort Norfolk in 1860
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| Type | Star fort |
| Site information | |
| Owner | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
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Fort Norfolk
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 803 Front St., Norfolk, Virginia |
| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1794 |
| NRHP reference No. | 76002225 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 29, 1976 |
| Condition | intact and occupied |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1775 (temporary battery) 1794–1795 (earthwork fort) 1807–1809 (masonry fort) |
| Built by | United States Army Corps of Engineers |
| In use | 1795–present |
| Materials | Stone, brick, earth |
| Battles/wars | American Revolution War of 1812 American Civil War |
Fort Norfolk is an old fort and a special historic area in Norfolk, Virginia. The first buildings were put up between 1795 and 1809. The fort has 11 buildings, including a main gate, a guardhouse, and a place to store gunpowder.
Fort Norfolk is the last fort left from President George Washington's plan to defend harbors in the late 1700s. This plan was called the "first system of US fortifications." Since 1923, the fort has been used as an office for the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The fort was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It became a Virginia Landmark in 2013. Today, it is kept as a historic site and is open for people to visit in the summer.
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Fort Norfolk's Role in the American Revolution
Even though it was private land, people in Norfolk first built defenses here during the American Revolutionary War. They wanted to protect the harbor. The fort is located where the Elizabeth River gets narrow. It worked with Fort Nelson on the other side of the river in Portsmouth.
The idea was to create a "crossfire" to stop enemy ships. This would prevent them from attacking Norfolk, Portsmouth, or the Gosport Navy Yard. However, these defenses were too weak. On January 1, 1776, British forces led by Lord Dunmore attacked Norfolk. This event is known as the Burning of Norfolk.
Most people in Norfolk who supported Britain had already left the city. American forces tried to fight off the British. But they did not put out the fires. They also took things from the empty homes of those who had left.
How Fort Norfolk Was Built
In 1794, the U.S. Congress gave President George Washington permission to build forts. These forts were meant to defend American harbors along the coast. This plan was later called the "first system of US fortifications."
By 1795, Fort Norfolk was mostly finished. It was first built with walls made of earth. These walls had supports made of wood or brick. The northern, eastern, and southern sides of the fort were shaped like a star fort. This design helped protect against attacks.
The western side of the fort was shaped like a half-moon. This part is called a semicircular bastion. This was a new design to allow more cannons to point towards the river. This part of the fort was on the riverbank. So, it was safe from attacks by land.
In 1797, only a small group of people looked after Fort Norfolk. In 1798, more soldiers were sent to the fort. This was because of the Quasi-War with France. By 1799, one company of soldiers guarded both Fort Norfolk and Fort Nelson.
Fort Norfolk During the War of 1812
Between 1807 and 1809, Fort Norfolk was completely rebuilt using stone and brick. It could hold 30 cannons and barracks for two companies of soldiers. This was part of the "second system of US fortifications." The sea wall was made stronger, reaching 12 feet high and 20 feet thick.
The eastern and northern sides, facing inland, still looked like a star fort. A ravelin was added on the east side. This gave more protection against land attacks. It also protected the Officers' Quarters building, which was part of the eastern wall. The fort had nine 18-pounder cannons. It also had a lot of gunpowder, cannonballs, and shells.
Fort Norfolk itself did not see direct fighting during the War of 1812. But it was ready for action. A long chain was stretched across the river. It went from Fort Norfolk to Fort Nelson. This chain was meant to stop the British Fleet from attacking Gosport Navy Yard, Norfolk, or Portsmouth.
During the war, soldiers from Fort Norfolk were sent to help defend Craney Island. They fought in the Battle of Craney Island. The British were stopped in that battle and did not enter Norfolk. However, they went up Chesapeake Bay to burn Washington, D.C.. They also tried to attack Baltimore, but failed. There were no forts guarding the mouth of the bay at that time.
By the 1830s, Fort Monroe was built at the entrance of Chesapeake Bay. This made Fort Norfolk less important. The fort was outside the city limits then. It stayed standing but no soldiers were stationed there. In 1853, a local historian named William S. Forrest said the fort was "long neglected, and is fast falling into ruins."
Fort Norfolk in the Civil War
Before the American Civil War, a naval powder magazine was added to the fort between 1849 and 1856. This was used to put together, store, and load ammunition for ships. These ships were built or fixed at what was then the Gosport Navy Yard. Today, it is called Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
Later, steps were taken to protect Norfolk from armies that were leaving the Union. Fort Norfolk became active again, and a company of soldiers was sent there.
When Virginia left the Union on April 17, 1861, the Union Army soon had to leave Norfolk and Fort Norfolk. The Confederate Army took control of Norfolk and Portsmouth on April 21. This meant they took over the fort and the Gosport Shipyard.
The Confederate Army then used Fort Norfolk to defend the shipyard. The fort's new powder magazine also supplied Confederate ships. These ships tried to get past the Union blockade on Hampton Roads. The most famous battle here was the Battle of Hampton Roads. This was between the ironclad ships USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. The Virginia was often called the Merrimack because it used to be the USS Merrimack.
The Union Army took back Fort Norfolk in May 1862. Major General John E. Wool landed nearby and marched into Norfolk. This made the Confederates leave the fort and the city. Norfolk then surrendered. For the rest of the Civil War, the Union Army used Fort Norfolk to hold captured Confederate blockade runners.
Fort Norfolk and the Army Corps of Engineers
The Army Corps of Engineers moved into Fort Norfolk in 1923. They used the fort as offices to plan engineering projects for the east coast. During World War II, the fort continued to be used as offices. The old brick buildings were fixed up. A new building for offices was also built.
In 1983, a new Army Corps of Engineers building was built next to Fort Norfolk. But they still have offices inside the fort. Since 1991, the Norfolk Historical Society has worked with the Army Corps of Engineers. They have been restoring the fort and giving tours to the public.
Timeline of Fort Norfolk
- 1776: The state of Virginia sets up Fort Norfolk.
- 1794: Congress allows President George Washington to build forts to protect U.S. harbors, including Fort Norfolk.
- 1810: Brick walls around the fort and most buildings are finished.
- 1813: June 22, soldiers from the fort fight in the Battle of Craney Island.
- 1834: Fort Monroe is finished, and the government no longer uses Fort Norfolk.
- 1850: The U.S. Navy turns the fort into a place to store ammunition.
- 1856: The large magazine (ammunition storage) building is completed.
- 1861: Confederate General Taliaferro takes control of the fort. He sets up cannons as the Civil War begins.
- 1862: General Wool lands at Willoughby after the Confederates leave Norfolk. The Union army takes over Fort Norfolk and uses it as a prison.
- 1863: The fort is given back to the U.S. Navy for storing ammunition.
- 1880: The Navy leaves the fort.
- 1921: The Army Corps of Engineers moves into the fort.
- 1983: The Army Corps of Engineers moves to a new building nearby.
- 1992: Fort Norfolk opens to the public for tours.
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