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Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, just south of the town of Kure Beach, is a great place to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf in the Wilmington area. Once you turn onto Loggerhead Road of US-421, there is a large parking (yes, free parking) are to the left. But it fills up fast, so try to arrive early. Stairs and a boardwalk lead to the Visitor Center with a concession stand that sells soft drinks and snacks and the bathrooms and rinse stations (no showers, though). There is also a picnic area with grills. The boardwalk leads over the dunes and to about six miles of pristine, undeveloped beach. So whether you're looking to sunbathe, swim, or play in the sand, this is a great location.
In addition to the beach, there is a short, just over a mile, trail that leads through an interesting swamp marsh ecosystem. The trailhead is just past the visitor center and leads through a maritime forest environment then heads out to the beach, where the trail alternates between sand and boardwalks and ends at an overlook to the Basin, an artificial lagoon created by the addition of a rock jetty in the Cape Fear River. The area past the overlook is Zeke's Island Coastal Reserve. The trail is also great for birdwatching - herons, egrets, ibises, and pelicans can all be seen from the trail. Just before the overlook, there is an old WWII bunker where Robert E. Herrill, the hermit of Fort Fisher lived for 17 years.
Written Jul 13, 2012
Address: 1000 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Phone: (910) 458-5798
Website: http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/fofi/main.php
The Union Army and Navy planned several attacks on Fort Fisher and the port of Wilmington but made no attempt until December 24, 1864. After two days of fighting, with little headway Union commanders concluded that the fort was too strong to assault, and the withdrew their forces. However, they returned for a second attempt on January 12, 1865. The Fort was bombarded on both land and sea face by Federal ships and assaulted on land face by more than 3,300 Union infantry. On January 15, after six hours of fierce combat, the Fort was captured by the Union.
After the fall of Fort Fisher, captured Confederate soldiers were taken to Union prisons in New York. The Confederate Army evacuated remaining forts in the Cape Fear area, and within weeks Union forces overran Wilmington.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Fort Fisher in Kure Beach was an important Civil War fort. Obviously, this was not the ordinary type of rifle but a heavy seacoast weapon—and was the bastion's largest piece of ordnance. Manufactured in England by Sir W. G. Armstrong & Co., of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, the gun was imported as a gift to the Confederacy in 1864.
It could hurl its 150-pound projectile for a distance of more than four miles—helping to keep Union blockaders at a distance off Cape Fear. During the final defense of Fort Fisher, it was less effective due to a limited supply of ammunition. Nevertheless, in December 1864, one of her iron bolts found its mark in the boiler of the USS Malvern—flagship of Adm. David D. Porter.
When Fort Fisher fell in January 1865, the Armstrong rifle was taken as a prize of war and ended up on the grounds of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
At West Point, the rifle was initially displayed in the yard of the old Ordnance Compound and then was moved to a prominent spot on Trophy Point, high above the waters of the Hudson River.
After 138 years, Fort Fisher's 16,000 pound-Armstrong tube was delivered to Fort Fisher in early November 2004 as a focal point for the 140th Anniversary and Observance of the Battle of Fort Fisher. It will remain on display through February 2006.
Updated May 21, 2005
Phone: (910) 458-5538
Website: http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/fisher/fisher.htm
The Aquarium offers a wide variety of free programs and activities year-round. Daily programs include marine life videos, live animal programs, audience participation games, demonstrations and more. Live animal programs in the Aquarium auditorium may feature alligators, sea turtles or snakes. Fish in selected tanks are fed daily.
Written May 14, 2005
Website: http://www.ncaquariums.com/
Water Wonders
It is fun to play in, wonderful to drink, and essential for all life. Water surrounds us and is a part of us. In this session, campers learn why water is so important. While learning, campers get both feet wet doing activities and crafts.
Life on Planet Ocean
When 70% of the planet is covered by oceans, it seems strange to call our planet “earth”! Oceans control our weather, produce our oxygen, and provide a home for a vast array of marine life. Campers learn about the strange and beautiful creatures living in Planet Ocean through fun activities and crafts
Written May 14, 2005
Website: http://www.ncaquariums.com
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located on US 421 approximately 15 miles south of Wilmington, just beyond Kure Beach.
From Southport, take the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry. For ferry schedule, call 910-457-6942 or Toll Free at
1-800-BYFERRY.
For directions from a specific location, call
1-800-832-FISH (3474) or contact visitor services
Written May 14, 2005
Website: http://www.ncaquariums.com
18 Opinions
11 Opinions
Captain's Cove Motel at Oak Island: Captain's Cove Motel
butterflykizzez04 Says: We take the Ferry over to Oak Island and stay there. We always stay at the Captain's Cove Motel. We have been staying there for over 20 years.
Most parks and historic sites have gift shops, and Fort Fisher is no exception. I didn't buy anything here.
What to buy: The gift shop features flags, books, CDs, T-shirts, and many other unique items related to Fort Fisher and the Civil War.
Written May 21, 2005
Phone: (910) 458-5538
Website: http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/fisher/fisher.htm
Helpfulness
You can take the ferry across to Oak Island and stay either on the island or at Southport.
We prefer to stay at Oak Island.
It is not so built up like Mrytle Beach and there are plenty of seashells on the beach for the kids.
Written May 14, 2005
Favorite thing: A T T A C K O F A R M Y I N F A N T R Y F O R C E S
• 3:25 p.m. — As the Union naval column rushes toward the Northeast bastion, N. Martin Curtis yells a simple command: "Forward!" The First Brigade of Ames's division rises and attacks the western salient, running at full speed toward the great sand bastion.
Lamb's Confederates (under Maj. James Reilly) open fire with small arms, as rebel field artillery punishes the flanks of the attacking Federals.
Armed with heavy axes, and under a murderous fire, about 100 of Curtis's bluecoats begin chopping holes in the fort's palisades to make way for the infantry.... Cheering wildly, Union soldiers begin pouring through the gaps, as rebel artillery thunders over the causeway leading to the western sally port.
Many of the Federals become mired in the deep slough along the causeway, directly below Shepherd's Battery. They are punished unmercifully.
In the melee, a fiery N. Martin Curtis boards the fort, challenging his men to slay the enemy. Driven by sheer weight of numbers, the Federals pour over the crest of the battery. Shouting and cursing, the combatants of both sides club each other with their weapons and fists, and jab and slash with their bayonets.
The 117th New York plants its colors on the crest of Shepherd's Battery. By day's end, its fabric will be riddled with bullet holes.
• 3:35 p.m. — Pennypacker's Second Brigade joins the assault. And again, Southern artillery rakes the attackers with shell and canister....
...................
• 4:00 p.m. — More than 4,000 Union troops are crowding the base, slopes, and walls of the western salient, and pouring onto the parade ground behind the fort. Lamb's Confederates are in serious trouble
Fondest memory: The port of Wilmington defended by Fort Fisher was the last Confederate port open. A previous attack by the Union had failed.
This is one of the exhibits at the Visitor's Center
The sign says:
THE BATTLE OF FORT FISHER
The brigade advanced to the charge, obliquing to the right so as to strike the sally port (that having been deemed the only vulnerable point of the work), and after a desparate struggle the advance of the brigate reached the parapet of the fort and scaled it to the first travere... The great confusion consequent upon the peculiar character of the assault, and the confined position of the troops on the parapet, render a more particular report of the progress of the brigade after reaching the work impossible.
--Col. Rufus Daggett, commanding the First Brigade, Second Division (Ames's) XXIV Army Corps.
At the very outset of the attack, while rapidly forming my regiment for the charge on the works, I was severely wounded on the right shoulder. Notwithstanding this I continued in the fight from first to last, about seven hours, having secured a lodgement in the northwest angle of the fort. With a few others of my regiment, I advanced from traverse to traverse...having been in very close contact with the enemy during the whole time, and in several hand-to-hand encounters with them.
--Lt. John Wainwright, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry, Medal of Honor recipient at Fort Fisher
Updated May 21, 2005
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