Fort Norfolk
Why it's listed
Fort Norfolk occupies a site on the north shore of the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia. Citizens of Norfolk began the fort during the Revolutionary War on private land, and Congress bought it, with federal ownership dating from 21 May 1795. Its brick wall was built in 1809. The fort was manned during the 1807 war scare and the War of 1812, when its garrison joined the 1813 defeat of the British at Craney Island. During the Civil War a battery was placed there, and the Army and Navy later disputed control until the Navy took it in 1863. The Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District moved in during 1923 and has used part or all of the facilities since. Surviving historic structures include the powder magazine, enlisted men's quarters, officers' mess, officers' quarters, guard house and the brick wall, alongside later office buildings, some added around 1942. The grounds are still in government use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the fort is significant for its military history. It was started by Norfolk citizens in the Revolutionary War, manned in 1807 and during the War of 1812, and fortified during the Civil War. It later served the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District. Original brick walls, a magazine, quarters and mess survive.
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 76002225, listed October 29, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 803 Front St., Norfolk (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk |
| Listed | October 29, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76002225 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | late 1700s to present |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Original brick walls, magazine, quarters and mess are in good condition; the buildings serve as the U.S. Army Engineer District office for Norfolk. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 36.85694, -76.30627 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 76002225.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16891377
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.