Fort Monroe is located in Hampton, Virginia, USA. It lies between the Chesapeake Bay and the James River and is situated in a coastal area. It is famous for being a historic military fort and for its role in the Civil War.
Fort Monroe Location Map, Hampton, Virginia
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Top Attractions Inside Fort Monroe
- Historic Fort Walls – Massive stone fortifications with a rich history dating back to the 19th century.
- Casemates Museum – Exhibits on military history, Civil War events, and life at the fort.
- Casemates & Bastions – Walkable interior spaces showing artillery placements and defensive architecture.
- Point Comfort Lighthouse – Historic lighthouse offering scenic views of the Chesapeake Bay.
- Beach & Waterfront Areas – Adjacent sandy beaches and walking paths along the bay.
- Guided Tours & Educational Programs – Informative tours covering the fort’s history, architecture, and role in American military heritage.
- Picnic & Recreation Spots – Open spaces for outdoor activities and enjoying bayfront scenery.
Fort Monroe Facts
| Official Name | Fort Monroe |
| Location | Old Point Comfort peninsula, Hampton, Virginia, USA |
| Latitude & Longitude | ≈ 37.0013° N, 76.3075° W |
| Total Area | 565 acres (fort + surrounding peninsula & lands) (original moated fortress 63 acres) |
| Construction Began / Built | Construction started 1819; main masonry fortress completed by 1834 |
| Named After | Likely named in honor of President James Monroe (or from “Point Monroe/Old Point Comfort” naming tradition) |
| Managed By / Current Status | Fort Monroe Authority & National Park Service — designated as a National Monument in 2011 |
| Region / Strategic Position | Tip of Virginia Peninsula, guarding entrance to Chesapeake Bay / Hampton Roads — strategic coastal defense |
| Address / Contact | 41 Bernard Road, Building #17, Fort Monroe, VA 23651‑1001, USA |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) — UTC−5 Standard / UTC−4 Daylight Saving |
| Fort Type / Concept | 19th‑century masonry coastal fortress (Third System coastal defense), moat‑surrounded casemate fortification with bastions & gun batteries |
| Structure & Features | Seven‑front fortress with bastions, thick masonry walls, casemates (for up to 400+ artillery pieces), wet moat, ramparts; includes historic buildings, lighthouse (oldest permanent structure), casemate museum, waterfront, beaches, wetlands & natural lands |
| Historical Significance | Largest stone fortification built in the U.S.; played crucial role in coastal defense, served through War of 1812 aftermath, Civil War, WWI/WWII, and modern era; key role in American slavery / emancipation history — site of 1619 arrival of first enslaved Africans in English North America & later refuge for escaped slaves (“Contraband Decision”) |
| Notable Historical Roles | Coastal defense; training site for U.S. Army coastal artillery & schools; Union stronghold during Civil War; refuge for escaped slaves; imprisonment site for former Confederate President Jefferson Davis (1865–1867); continuous U.S. Army installation until 2011 |
| Decommissioned / National Monument Designation | Deactivated as Army post September 15, 2011; designated a National Monument November 1, 2011 by presidential proclamation |
| Current Use / Offerings | Historic monument & public park — museum (Casemate Museum), historic tours, beaches & waterfront, walking trails, nature & bird‑watching, cultural events, education & memorials (including 1619 African Landing Memorial) |
| Natural / Environmental Features | Coastal wetlands, salt marshes, beaches, 8 miles waterfront, wetlands & submerged lands, live oak trees (including centuries‑old oaks), diverse bird & wildlife habitat |
| Cultural / Social Importance | Important symbol of African American history & emancipation — arrival of first enslaved Africans (1619) and refuge for escaped slaves during Civil War; designated as a “Slave Route Site of Memory” by UNESCO in 2021 |
| Official Website / Info Source | https://www.nps.gov/fomr/ (Fort Monroe National Monument) |
Distances from Fort Monroe to Nearby Landmarks
- Old Point Comfort Lighthouse – 0.1 km (0.1 mi)
- Fort Wool (Rip Raps island) – 1.6 km (1 mi)
- Buckroe Beach – 5 km (3 mi)
- Hampton, Virginia (city center) – 4.5 km (2.8 mi)
- Virginia Air & Space Center – 7 km (4.3 mi)
- Norfolk, Virginia – 27 km (16.5 mi)
- Virginia Beach, Virginia – 48 km (30 mi)
- Newport News, Virginia – 32 km (20 mi)
- Jamestown, Virginia (Historic Site) – 65 km (40 mi)
- Yorktown, Virginia (Historic Site) – 50 km (31 mi)
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