Fort Dobbs

Fort Dobbs is a reconstructed colonial blockhouse with wooden log walls located near Statesville. The three-story structure features a shallow defensive ditch designed to protect against frontier threats.

The fort was built in 1755 under orders from Governor Arthur Dobbs to protect settlers during the French and Indian War. It existed as part of the larger colonial struggles that shaped the region's future.

The fort represents a meeting point where settlers and soldiers gathered to manage life on a contested frontier. Walking through the reconstruction, visitors see how people adapted their daily routines to defensive needs.

The site is reached via Fort Dobbs Road and can be explored on foot through grounds that are relatively level and easy to navigate. Inside and outside, visitors find exhibits and interpretive displays that explain the fort's role.

An engagement in February 1760 between Cherokee warriors and Provincial soldiers represents the only documented combat at the location. This skirmish remains a defining moment in the fort's operational history.

Location: North Carolina

Location: Province of North Carolina

Architects: Arthur Dobbs

Website: https://fortdobbs.org

GPS coordinates: 35.82167,-80.89500

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:40