Where is Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia?

Written by | Updated On: December 09, 2025, 14:28 ET

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

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 NameFort Monroe
LocationOld 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 / BuiltConstruction started 1819; main masonry fortress completed by 1834
Named AfterLikely named in honor of President James Monroe (or from “Point Monroe/Old Point Comfort” naming tradition)
Managed By / Current StatusFort Monroe Authority & National Park Service — designated as a National Monument in 2011
Region / Strategic PositionTip of Virginia Peninsula, guarding entrance to Chesapeake Bay / Hampton Roads — strategic coastal defense
Address / Contact41 Bernard Road, Building #17, Fort Monroe, VA 23651‑1001, USA
Time ZoneEastern Time (ET) — UTC−5 Standard / UTC−4 Daylight Saving
Fort Type / Concept19th‑century masonry coastal fortress (Third System coastal defense), moat‑surrounded casemate fortification with bastions & gun batteries
Structure & FeaturesSeven‑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 SignificanceLargest 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 RolesCoastal 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 DesignationDeactivated as Army post September 15, 2011; designated a National Monument November 1, 2011 by presidential proclamation
Current Use / OfferingsHistoric 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 FeaturesCoastal wetlands, salt marshes, beaches, ~8 miles waterfront, wetlands & submerged lands, live oak trees (including centuries‑old oaks), diverse bird & wildlife habitat
Cultural / Social ImportanceImportant 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 Sourcehttps://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)