Facts About Fort Monroe
| Facts | Historical Significance | National Historic Landmarks |
Historical Significance
- Fort Algernourne was established at Old Point Comfort - modern day Fort Monroe - in 1609 by Captain John Smith and was destroyed by a fire in 1612.
- Fort George was built on Old Point Comfort in 1727 and guarded the Hampton Roads Harbor until 1749, when it was destroyed by a hurricane.
- Fort Monroe is the third oldest active military installation ~ first garrisoned by the United States in 1823.
- Fort Monroe has the largest stone fort ever built in America and only stone fort surrounded by a moat.
- During the Civil War, Fort Monroe was one of only four permanent Union forts never taken by the Confederacy.
- Fort Monroe was secure enough to house President Abraham Lincoln, who visited the Fort during the height of the war.
- Confederate President Jefferson Davis was also imprisoned at Fort Monroe.
- Fort Monroe earned the name "Freedom's Fortress" when Major General Benjamin F. Butler, refused to return slaves who escaped to Fort Monroe during the Civil War.
- The Monitor and Merrimack fought their epic battle off the shores of Fort Monroe.