Fort Fisher
Why it's listed
Fort Fisher is a Civil War earthwork fortification on the Carolina coast, about six miles south of Carolina Beach. Named for Colonel Charles F. Fisher, it was the largest earthwork fortification in the Confederacy. Confederate forces took over the point in April 1861 and built sand batteries mounting 17 guns. Colonel William Lamb took command in July 1862 and oversaw construction of a much stronger fort with 47 heavy guns. Its importance lay in protecting the port of Wilmington, where swift blockade runners slipped past the Union squadron with provisions, clothing and munitions. The fort endured the heaviest naval bombardment of land fortifications up to that time, in December 1864 and January 1865. On January 15, 1865, a Federal force of 3,300 attacked the 1,900-man garrison, and hand-to-hand fighting ended with the surrender of about 1,100 Confederates. Today the site consists of sand mounds and bunkers and a state-run museum, though erosion by the sea has removed much of the original works.
Significance in brief: The form describes Fort Fisher as the largest earthwork fortification in the Confederacy. It kept the port of Wilmington open to blockade runners, which supplied the Confederacy with provisions, clothing and munitions. It was also the scene of the heaviest naval bombardment of land fortifications up to that time, and of the Federal assault of January 1865.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000595, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 18 mi. S of Wilmington on U.S. 421, Wilmington |
|---|---|
| County | New Hanover County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000595 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (Civil War) |
| Architect / builder | Colonel William Lamb directed construction of the enlarged fort. |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 5, 1961 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Complex of mounds and bunkers with a museum run by the state; much of the original bunkers lost to sea erosion. Preservation work is marked as in progress. |
| Acreage | 200 |
| Coordinates | 33.96800, -77.92388 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000595.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q256931
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.