Fort Raleigh
Fort Raleigh (1585-1587) - An early Colonial Period fort first established in 1585 on the north end of Roanoke Island, Dare County, North Carolina. First abandoned in 1586 and repopulated in 1587. Found abandoned in August 1590 with no sign of the colonists.
History of Fort Raleigh![]() Established in 1585 as the first English colony in America by Sir Richard Grenville, a cousin of Sir Walter Raleigh. The settlement was originally populated in late July 1585 with 108 people who constructed the settlement and the fort on the island. This colony was unsuccessful and Sir Walter Raleigh took the survivors back to England in 1586. The colony was repopulated with 150 colonists by John White in 1587. The settlement and the fort were rebuilt. John White returned to England for supplies but his return was delayed by a conflict between England and Spain. When he returned in August 1590 the colonists had disappeared without a trace. Now known as the "Lost Colony", the fate of the colonists remains unknown.
Current Status![]() Part of Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Roanoke Island, Dare County, North Carolina. The reconstructed fort is now thought to be from a later period.
Visited: 5 Apr 2018
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