Fort Nelson

Fort Nelson was a fortification in Portsmouth designed to control the Elizabeth River and defend Norfolk and surrounding settlements. The structure was built from timber and rammed earth, capable of housing around 150 soldiers in its garrison.

Virginia authorities built the fort in 1776 at the start of the Revolutionary War to protect waterways from British attack. During the Civil War, it was briefly rebuilt but soon abandoned and ultimately demolished.

The fort's name honors Thomas Nelson Jr., a key figure in Virginia's independence movement, reflecting its significance in local memory. Today, this connection to founding-era leadership remains visible in how the site is remembered by the community.

The site is located at Hospital Point and was later developed into a naval medical facility, affecting current access. Visitors should know that little of the original fortification remains physically visible today.

Confederate forces briefly rebuilt the structure during the Civil War before abandoning it within a year. This episode shows how different military periods marked the same location before its final destruction.