Fort Norfolk

Fort Norfolk (1794-1880) - Established in 1794 as one of the First System forts by President George Washington on the Elizabeth River in Norfolk City, Virginia. Rebuilt as a Second System fort in 1809. During the U.S. Civil War it was first occupied by Confederate troops in 1861 and Union troops in 1862 who held it for the duration. Abandoned as a fortification in 1880.

Fort Norfolk Main Gate	Fort Norfolk NE Bastion
Fort Norfolk Magazine

First System (1794-1808)

Established by President George Washington in 1794 as one of the First System forts. The fort was originally paired with Fort Nelson on the other side of the Elizabeth River to protect Norfolk, Portsmouth and the Navy Yard. The fort was originally a sod earthworks and fell into disrepair in the early 1800s.

Second System (1808-1816)

The fort was rebuilt in 1809 as a Second System fort.

U.S. Civil War (1861-1865)

Confederate troops occupied the fort at the beginning of the war in 1861. Union troops reoccupied the fort in 1862 and held it for the duration of the war.

Fort Norfolk Plan

Fort Norfolk Inside the Main Gate

Current Status

A shared site with the Norfolk Historical Society and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk City, Virginia. The Norfolk Historical Society administers the historic portion of the fort.

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Location: Norfolk City, Virginia. Maps & Images Lat: 36.85684 Long: -76.30628 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 3'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 819

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Norfolk

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Fort Norfolk Picture Gallery

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