Brief Histories of Forts Norfolk & Nelson

Fort Norfolk

1794 - present

Earlier fortifications were located here from 1776 to 1779. The First System fort was built in 1794 and was mainly an earthworks type of fortification. It was later rebuilt into a masonry type fort of the Second System beginning in 1808. It was designed for 30 guns but only 10 were mounted. This fort never saw action during the War of 1812 because the British were successfully repulsed by the Craney Island Fort located nearby. The U.S. Navy acquired the fort in 1849 to use as a weapons depot. The Confederates occupied the fort in 1861 and 1862. The Union Army reoccupied it for the remainder of the Civil War and used it to hold prisoners of war. The Navy returned after the war. In 1921 the Army Corps of Engineers moved in. In 1983 the A.C.E. built the large Waterfield Building and moved out of the historic fort. Although still owned by the Corps of Engineers, it is run by the Norfolk Historical Society. This is the last surviving harbor fort of 19 that were authorized by George Washington in 1794.

The Friends of Fort Norfolk and the 2nd Virginia Regiment provide free admission and guided tours on weekends.

Located at Hospital Point, just across the river from Norfolk. It was built by Benedict Arnold for a 150-man garrison. Some entrenchments were built in 1774. In 1779, the fort was nearly surrounded by land and sea, so it was evacuated just before the British destroyed it. The First System fort, named after Governor Thomas Nelson, was built in 1794, and was rebuilt in 1804. Rebuilt again into a Second System fort in 1808. It mounted 37 guns. The garrison was moved to Fort Monroe in 1823 and the fort was torn down in 1827 to make way for the Naval Hospital. Some of the bricks were reused in the construction of the hospital. The site was also used as a Confederate strongpoint in 1861 and 1862.