From the Historic Southport, North Carolina site by Dr. Michael D. Hogan.
I have already written about the fort, but will add some more information.
Today, only one structure remains of Fort Johnston.
At the start of the Revolution, British Royal Governor Martin fled here from New Bern and then to the British warship HMS Cruizer (or Cruzier). The colonists took the fort and millet stores and dismantled the cannons as they were in range of the British man-of-war.
From the March 27, 2010, Wilmington (NC) Star-News article by Amy Hotz.
Before there was a Southport, there was a Smithville, and before that, there was a Fort Johnston.
East Carolina University students have found artifacts at Fort Johnston's site dating back 260 years. In May, 2010, the Southport Branch of the North Carolina Maritime Museum moved to the fort. Improvements were made to the existing building as well as a new building and walkways.
A survey was needed, though because of the area's historical significance. "Shovel tests" every ten feet in a 30-by-30-foot area found brick and mortar, a lady's pin or broach, a Civil War bullet, bottle fragments and ceramic pieces. The earliest artifacts found at this test dated back to the early 1800s.
A Little-Known Historic Site. --Cooter
Showing posts with label Fort Johnston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Johnston. Show all posts
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, August 26, 2010
History of Fort Johnston, NC-- Part 3
On February 21, 1888, Fort Johnston was officially dropped as a seacoast defense. The only part of the fort remaining today appears to be the officers' quarters which has been used by a variety of groups from that time to today.
At one time, it was used by the US Army Corps of Engineers and later the US Surveying Corps.
During World War II it was a USO building.
In the 1950s, officers from the Air Rescue Unit stayed there and then it was transferred to Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal in 1955.
This year, the Southport Branch of the North Carolina Maritime Museum will move into it.
It is listed on the National register of Historic Places.
A Little-Known Fort. --Cooter
At one time, it was used by the US Army Corps of Engineers and later the US Surveying Corps.
During World War II it was a USO building.
In the 1950s, officers from the Air Rescue Unit stayed there and then it was transferred to Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal in 1955.
This year, the Southport Branch of the North Carolina Maritime Museum will move into it.
It is listed on the National register of Historic Places.
A Little-Known Fort. --Cooter
History of Fort Johnston, NC-- Part 2
Continuing with yesterday's post.
In 1754, soldiers at Fort Johnston were sent off the fight in the French and Indian War.
In 1759, men went off to fight the Cherokees.
When the Revolutionary War broke out, British Royal Governor Josiah Martin fled from New Bern to Fort Johnston and transferred the government there. A month later, he fled to a British ship and away from the colony. Patriots burned the fort.
After the war, the fort was abandoned and soon became overgrown with vines and bushes. However, president Washington and Congress created the First System of Fortifications and Fort Johnston was one. Money was spent for its rebuilding. In 1795, the first documented 4th of July celebration in the state took place there.
During the War of 1812, the garrison was increased but saw no action.
By 1836, it was mostly evacuated with troops going off to fight the Seminoles in Florida.
In 1838, Fort Johnston's military significance was reduced drastically with the construction of the larger and stronger Fort Xaswell by the Atlantic coast.
During the Mexican War, the fort served as a recruitment and training facility.
I wrote about its role in the Civil War in my August 18th Saw the Elephant Blog.
More to Come. --Cooter
In 1754, soldiers at Fort Johnston were sent off the fight in the French and Indian War.
In 1759, men went off to fight the Cherokees.
When the Revolutionary War broke out, British Royal Governor Josiah Martin fled from New Bern to Fort Johnston and transferred the government there. A month later, he fled to a British ship and away from the colony. Patriots burned the fort.
After the war, the fort was abandoned and soon became overgrown with vines and bushes. However, president Washington and Congress created the First System of Fortifications and Fort Johnston was one. Money was spent for its rebuilding. In 1795, the first documented 4th of July celebration in the state took place there.
During the War of 1812, the garrison was increased but saw no action.
By 1836, it was mostly evacuated with troops going off to fight the Seminoles in Florida.
In 1838, Fort Johnston's military significance was reduced drastically with the construction of the larger and stronger Fort Xaswell by the Atlantic coast.
During the Mexican War, the fort served as a recruitment and training facility.
I wrote about its role in the Civil War in my August 18th Saw the Elephant Blog.
More to Come. --Cooter
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The History of Fort Johnston, North Carolina-- Part 1
Fort Johnston is a fort located by Southport, NC, near the mouth of the Cape Fear River south of the city of Wilmington. It dates back to the colonial days. Last week, I wrote about it on my Civil War blog Saw the Elephant, http://sawtheelephant.blogspot.com.
From the May 10, 2010, MyReporter column in the Wilmington Star-News. Much of the information is gleaned from Wilson Angley's "A History of Fort Johnston on the Lower Cape Fear."
The fort was built by the colony as protection against Spanish attack. In 1744, North Carolina Royal Governor Gabriel Johnston (for whom the fort was named) ordered a fort to be constructed. However, work was progressing slowly and it was nowhere near completed when, on September 4, 1748, two Spanish privateers made their way up the Cape Fear and captured a sloop on tried to seize slaves working on the fort. They also looted Brunswick Town.
The fort was finally completed in 1749, but no longer needed for protection against the Spanish. Its new job was to prevent diseases from entering the colony and on foggy days, fired its cannons to warn ships.
More to Come. --DaCoot
From the May 10, 2010, MyReporter column in the Wilmington Star-News. Much of the information is gleaned from Wilson Angley's "A History of Fort Johnston on the Lower Cape Fear."
The fort was built by the colony as protection against Spanish attack. In 1744, North Carolina Royal Governor Gabriel Johnston (for whom the fort was named) ordered a fort to be constructed. However, work was progressing slowly and it was nowhere near completed when, on September 4, 1748, two Spanish privateers made their way up the Cape Fear and captured a sloop on tried to seize slaves working on the fort. They also looted Brunswick Town.
The fort was finally completed in 1749, but no longer needed for protection against the Spanish. Its new job was to prevent diseases from entering the colony and on foggy days, fired its cannons to warn ships.
More to Come. --DaCoot
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