Fort Fisher

Fort Fisher is a series of earthwork defenses along the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic coastline that protected the harbor of Wilmington during the 1860s. The fortification forms an L-shaped defensive line with underground chambers, gun positions, and sheltered spaces for ammunition and troops.

The fortification was built in the early 1860s and captured in January 1865 after a massive naval bombardment. Its loss closed the final Confederate supply route by sea.

The site includes a museum displaying Civil War artifacts, military equipment, and detailed exhibits about the daily operations of Confederate soldiers at the fort.

The site is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM with no admission charge, and visitors can walk along the preserved earthworks, explore underground rooms, and view restored gun positions. A museum displays military equipment and daily life items from the Civil War period.

The fortification is named after Colonel Charles Fisher, who died at the Battle of First Manassas in July 1861. His death gave the still-under-construction defense its final name.

Location: Wilmington

Inception: 1861

Website: https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/fort-fisher

GPS coordinates: 33.97170,-77.91940

Latest update: December 17, 2025 10:25