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 it fell into disrepair in the early 1800s. This fort and Fort Nelson were among the First System forts chosen to be upgraded to the Second System in 1807.

Second System (1808-1816)

Fort Norfolk Plan

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

In 1849 the U.S. Navy took over the fort and built the large ammunition magazine that still exists. The magazine was completed in 1856.

U.S. Civil War (1861-1865)

Fort Norfolk Inside the Main Gate

The U.S. Government abandoned the fort at the beginning of the U.S. Civil War. Confederate troops occupied the fort on 19 Apr 1861 and held it until 10 May 1862 when they abandoned Norfolk. Union troops reoccupied the fort on 10 May 1862 and held it for the duration of the war.

In March 1863 the fort was transferred to the U.S. Navy.

In 1923 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took possession of the fort for the offices of the Norfolk District.

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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