| Fort Monroe | |
|---|---|
| (U.S. National Historic Landmark) | |
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| Location: | Hampton, Virginia |
| Built/Founded: | 1819 |
| Added to NRHP: | October 15, 1966 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 66000912 [1] |
| Governing body: | United States Army |
Fort Monroe (also known as Fortress Monroe) is a Hampton, Virginia military installation located at Old Point Comfort, which is on the tip of the Virginia Peninsula. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A National Historic Landmark (NHL is a Building, site, Structure, Object, or District, that is officially recognized by the Hampton is an Independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. Hampton is an Independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state Old Point Comfort is a point of land located in the Independent city of Hampton at the extreme tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Along with Fort Calhoun, later renamed Fort Wool, it guarded approach by sea of the navigational shipping channel between the Chesapeake Bay and the entrance to the harbor of Hampton Roads, which itself is formed by the confluence of the Elizabeth River, the Nansemond River, and the James River, the longest in Virginia. Fort Wool (originally named Fort Calhoun was the companion to Fort Monroe in protecting Hampton Roads from seafaring threats The Chesapeake Bay is the largest Estuary in the United States. Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water and the region of land areas which surround it in southeastern Virginia in the USA. The Elizabeth River is a short Tidal estuary forming an arm of Hampton Roads at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay in southeast Virginia in the The Nansemond River is a tributary of the James River in the U The James River in the US state of Virginia is a long River, including its Jackson River source
During the initial exploration by the mission headed by Captain Christopher Newport in the earliest days of the Colony of Virginia, the site was identified as a strategic defensive location. Christopher Newport (c 1561&ndash1618 was an English sailor and Privateer. The Colony of Virginia (also known frequently as the Virginia Colony and occasionally as the Dominion and Colony of Virginia) was the English colony In May of 1607, they established the first permanent English settlement in the present-day United States about 25 miles further inland from the Bay along the James River at Jamestown. Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 14 1607 The land area where Fort Monroe is located became part of Elizabeth Cittie [sic] in 1619, Elizabeth River Shire in 1634, and was included in Elizabeth City County when it was formed in 1643. Elizabeth City (or cittie as it was then called was one of four incorporations established in the Virginia Colony in 1619 by the proprietor the Virginia Company. Elizabeth City Shire was one of eight shires created in colonial Virginia in 1634. Elizabeth City County was a County in southeastern Virginia from 1634 to 1952 Over 300 years later, in 1952, Elizabeth City County and Fort Monroe's neighbor, the nearby Town of Phoebus, agreed to consolidate with the smaller independent city of Hampton, which became one of the large Seven Cities of Hampton Roads. Phoebus was an Incorporated town located in Elizabeth City County on the Virginia Peninsula in eastern Virginia An independent city is a City that does not form part of another general-purpose Local government entity Hampton is an Independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county The Seven Cities of Hampton Roads are seven independent cities located in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia in the United States
Beginning by 1609, fortifications had been established at Old Point Comfort during Virginia's first two centuries. However, the much more substantial facility of stone to become known as Fort Monroe (and adjacent Fort Calhoun on a man-made island across the channel) were completed in 1834. Year 1834 ( MDCCCXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common The principal facility was named in honor of U. S. President James Monroe. James Monroe (April 28 1758 – July 4 1831 was the fifth President of the United States (1817–1825 Throughout the American Civil War (1861-1865), although most of Virginia became part of the Confederate States of America, Fort Monroe remained in Union hands. Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty-three It became notable as a historic and symbolic site of early freedom for former slaves under the provisions of contraband policies and later the Emancipation Proclamation. As a social-economic system slavery is a legal institution under which a Person (called "a slave" is compelled to work for another Contraband was a term commonly used in the United States during the American Civil War to describe a new status for certain escaped slaves or those who came into the The Emancipation Proclamation consists of two executive orders issued by United States President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. For several years thereafter, the former Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, was imprisoned in the area now known as the Casemate Museum on the base. Jefferson Finis Davis ( June 3, 1808 &ndash December 6, 1889) was an American politician who served as President of the
Completely surrounded by a moat, the six-sided stone fort is the only one of its kind left in the United States that is still an active Army post. A moat is deep broad Trench, usually filled with Water, that surrounds a structure installation or town normally to provide it with a preliminary line of The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Fort Monroe is one of several posts selected to be closed by September 2011. Many of its functions are being transfered to nearby Fort Eustis (which itself was named for Fort Monroe's first commander, General Abraham Eustis, a noted artillery expert). Fort Eustis is a United States Army military installation located in Newport News Virginia. Abraham Eustis ( March 26, 1786) to ( June 27, 1843) was a Lawyer and notable U Artillery (from French artillerie) is a military Combat Arm which employs any apparātus machine Several re-use plans for Fort Monroe after it is decommissioned are currently under development in the Hampton community.
Contents |
History
Colonial Period
Arriving with three ships under Captain Christopher Newport, Captain John Smith and the colonists of the Virginia Company who established the Jamestown Settlement of the British Colony of Virginia on the James River in 1607. Christopher Newport (c 1561&ndash1618 was an English sailor and Privateer. Captain Sir John Smith (c January 1580– June 21 1631) Admiral of New England was an English Soldier, Sailor The Virginia Company refers collectively to a pair of English joint stock companies chartered by James I in 1606 with the purposes of establishing The James Settlement was the first permanent English settlement in North America. The Colony of Virginia (also known frequently as the Virginia Colony and occasionally as the Dominion and Colony of Virginia) was the English colony The James River in the US state of Virginia is a long River, including its Jackson River source On their initial exploration, they recognized the strategic importance of the site at Old Point Comfort for purposes of coastal defense. Old Point Comfort is a point of land located in the Independent city of Hampton at the extreme tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of They initially built Fort Algernourne (1609-1612) at the location of the present Fort Monroe. It is assumed to have been a triangular stockade, based on the fort at Jamestown. Fort Algernoure burned in 1612. A second fort, known only as "the fort at Old Point Comfort" was constructed in 1632 and destroyed by a hurricane in 1667. In 1728, Fort George was built on the site. Its masonry walls were destroyed by a hurricane in 1749, but the wood buildings within the fort continued to be used by a reduced force until at least 1775. In 1781, during the siege of Yorktown, the French West Indian fleet established a battery on the ruins of Fort George. Throughout the Colonial period, fortifications were manned at the location from time to time.
Early 19th century
Following the War of 1812, the United States again came to realize the importance of protecting Hampton Roads and the inland waters from attack by sea, and construction was begun in 1819 on what would become the largest stone fort ever built in the United States. The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and the British Empire, particularly Great Britain and her North American colonies Year 1819 ( MDCCCXIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar in the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year The fort, designed by Simon Bernard, features a moat completely surrounding the inner structures. Baron Simon Bernard ( 28 April 1779 - 5 November 1839) was a French general of engineers As a young first lieutenant and engineer in the U. S. Army, Robert E. Lee was stationed there from 1831 to 1834, and played a major role in the final construction of both Fort Monroe and its opposite, Fort Calhoun. Robert Edward Lee (January 19 1807 &ndash October 12 1870 was a career United States Army officer, an Engineer, and among the most celebrated The latter, later renamed Fort Wool, was built on a man-made island called the Rip Raps across the navigational channel from Old Point Comfort in the middle of the mouth of Hampton Roads. Fort Wool (originally named Fort Calhoun was the companion to Fort Monroe in protecting Hampton Roads from seafaring threats An artificial island is an Island that has been constructed by humans rather than formed by natural means Rip Raps is a small 15 acre (60000 m² artificial Island at the mouth of the harbor area known as Hampton Roads in the independent city of Hampton in Old Point Comfort is a point of land located in the Independent city of Hampton at the extreme tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water and the region of land areas which surround it in southeastern Virginia in the USA. The fort was briefly used to detain Black Hawk.
When construction was completed in 1834, Fort Monroe was referred to as the "Gibraltar of Chesapeake Bay. Year 1834 ( MDCCCXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common " The fort accomplished this mission by mounting an impressive complement of the most powerful artillery of the time, 32-pounder guns with a range of over one mile. In conjunction with Fort Calhoun (later Fort Wool), this was just enough range to cover the main shipping channel into the area. (Decommissioned after World War II, the former Fort Wool on Rip Raps is now adjacent to the southern man-made island of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, initially completed in 1957). World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT is the -long (56 km Hampton Roads crossing for Interstate 64 and U
American Civil War
1860–61
Fort Monroe played an important role in the American Civil War. Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South On December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union. Events 69 - Vespasian, formerly a general under Nero, enters Rome to claim the title of Emperor. Year 1860 ( MDCCLX) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year starting South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America. During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty-three Four months later, on April 12, 1861, troops of that state opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Events 467 - Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1861 ( MDCCCLXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Fort Sumter, a Third System masonry coastal fortification located in Charleston harbor South Carolina, was named after General Thomas Sumter Charleston is a city in Charleston county in the US state of South Carolina. Five days later, Virginia became the eighth Southern state to withdraw from the Union, and join the newly formed Confederate States of America. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861
President Abraham Lincoln had Fort Monroe quickly reinforced so that it would not fall to Confederate forces. Abraham Lincoln (February 12 1809 &ndash April 15 1865 the sixteenth President of the United States, successfully led his country through its greatest internal It was held by Union forces throughout the Civil War and several sea and land expeditions were launched from there by Union forces.
A few weeks after the Battle of Fort Sumter in 1861, U. Background South Carolina declared its secession from the Union shortly after Lincoln's victory in the presidential election of 1860, and by February 1861 six S. Army General-in-Chief Winfield Scott proposed to President Abraham Lincoln a plan to bring the states back into the Union: cut the Confederacy off from the rest of the world instead of attacking its army in Virginia. Winfield Scott ( June 13, 1786 &ndash May 29, 1866) was a United States Army general Diplomat, and presidential candidate The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by Abraham Lincoln (February 12 1809 &ndash April 15 1865 the sixteenth President of the United States, successfully led his country through its greatest internal During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty-three His plan was to blockade the Confederacy's coastline and control the Mississippi River valley with gunboats. The Anaconda Plan is the name widely applied to an outline strategy for subduing the seceding states in the American Civil War. The Mississippi River is the second longest River in the United States, with a length of from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to In cooperation with the Navy, troops from Fort Monroe extended Union control along the coasts of the Carolinas as Lincoln ordered a blockade of the Southern seaboard from the South Carolina line to the Rio Grande River on April 19, and on April 27 extended it to include the North Carolina and Virginia coasts. The Carolinas is a term used in the United States to refer collectively to the states of North and South Carolina. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States
On April 20 the Union Navy burned and evacuated the Norfolk Navy Yard, destroying nine ships in the process, leaving only Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort as the last bastion of the United States in Tidewater Virginia. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY is a U Old Point Comfort is a point of land located in the Independent city of Hampton at the extreme tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of Occupation of Norfolk gave the Confederacy its only major shipyard and thousands of heavy guns, but they held it for only one year. Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States Confederate Brigadier General Walter Gwynn, who commanded the Confederate defenses around Norfolk, erected batteries at Sewell's Point, both to protect Norfolk and to control Hampton Roads. Walter Gwynn ( February 22, 1802 &ndash February 6, 1882) was a Civil engineer and Soldier who became a Confederate Sewell's Point is a Peninsula of land in the Independent city of Norfolk Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water and the region of land areas which surround it in southeastern Virginia in the USA.
The Union dispatched a fleet to Hampton Roads to enforce the blockade, and on May 18–19, 1861, Federal gunboats based at Fort Monroe exchanged fire with the Confederate batteries at Sewell's Point. Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and Year 1861 ( MDCCCLXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The little-known Battle of Sewell's Point resulted in little damage to either side. The Battle of Sewell's Point took place from May 18 - May 19, 1861 in Norfolk County Virginia as part of the blockade of Chesapeake Several land operations against Confederate forces also were mounted from the fort, notably the Battle of Big Bethel in June 1861. Background Butler was in command at Fort Monroe near Hampton in support of the Union blockade of Chesapeake Bay.
Fort Monroe is also the place at which, on May 27, 1861, Major General Benjamin Butler made his famous "contraband" decision, by which escaping slaves reaching Union lines would not be returned to bondage. Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed Year 1861 ( MDCCCLXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5 1818 January 11 1893 was an American Lawyer and Politician who represented Massachusetts in the United States The English word contraband, reported in English since 1529 from Medieval French contrebande "a smuggling" derived via Italian contrabando from Latin The order resulted in waves of enslaved people fleeing to Union lines around Fort Monroe, which was Butler's headquarters in Virginia, and earned Fort Monroe its other nickname of "Freedom's Fortress", as any slave reaching it would be free.
Under Gen. Butler's command, Fort Monroe was the site of a military balloon camp under the flight direction of aeronaut John LaMountain. A balloon is a flexible bag filled with a type of Gas, such as Helium, Hydrogen, Nitrous oxide or air. While the Union Army Balloon Corps was being developed at Fort Corcoran near Arlington under the presidentially appointed Prof. The Union Army Balloon Corps was a branch of the Federal Army during the American Civil War, established by presidential appointee Thaddeus S Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, LaMountain, who was also vying for position as Chief Aeronaut, had gained the confidence of Butler in using his balloon Atlantic for aerial observations. Thaddeus Sobieski Constantine Lowe ( August 20, 1831 - January 16, 1913) also known as Professor T LaMountain is accredited with having made the first successful report from an aerial station that was of practical military intelligence. LaMountain was later reassigned to Lowe's balloon corps, but after a period of in-fighting with Lowe he was released from military service. Lowe would eventually assign regular military balloons to Fort Monroe.
1862
In March 1862, the naval Battle of Hampton Roads took place off Sewell's Point between the first ironclad warships, CSS Virginia and USS Monitor. The Battle of Hampton Roads, often called the Battle of Monitor and Merrimack, was a USS Merrimack becomes CSS Virginia When the Commonwealth of Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861 one of the important federal military bases threatened Design Monitor was one of three ironclad warships ordered by the U While the outcome was inconclusive, the battle marked a change in naval warfare and the end to wooden fighting ships.
Later that spring, the continuing presence of the Union Navy based at Fort Monroe enabled Federal water transports from Washington, D. C. , to land unmolested to support Major General George B. McClellan's Peninsula Campaign. George Brinton McClellan ( December 3 1826 October 29 1885) was a major general during the American Civil War. The Peninsula Campaign (also known as the Peninsular Campaign) of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Formed at Fort Monroe, McClellan's troops moved up the Virginia Peninsula during the spring of 1862, reaching within a few miles of the gates of Richmond about 80 miles to the west by June 1. The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake This article is about the city of Richmond the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. For the next 30 days, they laid siege to Richmond. Then, during the Seven Days Battles, McClellan fell back to the James River well below Richmond, ending the campaign. Start of the Peninsula Campaign Opposing forces See also [[Seven Days Confederate order of battle]] [[Seven Days Union order of battle]] Almost Fortunately for McClellan, during this time, Union troops regained control of Norfolk, Hampton Roads, and the James River below Drewry's Bluff (a strategic point about 8 miles south of Richmond). Drewry's Bluff is located in northeastern Chesterfield County Virginia in the United States.
1864–96
In 1864, the Union Army of the James under Major General Benjamin Butler was formed at Fort Monroe. Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year The Army of the James was a Union Army that was composed of units from the Department of Virginia and North Carolina and served along the James River during the final Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5 1818 January 11 1893 was an American Lawyer and Politician who represented Massachusetts in the United States The 2nd Regiment, United States Colored Cavalry, mustered at Fort Monroe on December 22, 1864, and The 1st Regiment, United States Colored Cavalry mustered the same day at nearby Camp Hamilton. The Siege of Petersburg during 1864 and 1865 was supported on the James River from a base at City Point (now Hopewell, Virginia). The Richmond-Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865 Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Year 1865 ( MDCCCLXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Hopewell is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Maintaining the control of Hampton Roads at Fort Monroe and Fort Wool was crucial to the naval support Grant required for the successful Union campaign to take Petersburg, which was the key to the fall of the Confederate capitol at Richmond. As Petersburg fell, Richmond was evacuated in 1865 on the night of April 2–3. Year 1865 ( MDCCCLXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 68 - Galba, Governor of Hispania, names himself legatus senatus populique Romani, breaking the line of Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. That night, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet escaped Richmond, taking the Richmond and Danville Railroad to move first to Danville and then North Carolina. The President of the Confederate States of America was the Head of State and Head of Government of the Confederate States of America, which was formed from Jefferson Finis Davis ( June 3, 1808 &ndash December 6, 1889) was an American politician who served as President of the The Richmond and Danville Railroad was chartered in Virginia in the United States in 1847 Danville is an Independent city in Virginia, bounded by Pittsylvania County Virginia and Caswell County North Carolina. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States However, the cause was lost, and Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered what was left of the Army of Northern Virginia to Grant at Appomattox Court House the following week. Robert Edward Lee (January 19 1807 &ndash October 12 1870 was a career United States Army officer, an Engineer, and among the most celebrated The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. Appomattox Court House is a village located three miles (5 km east of Appomattox, Virginia, USA (25 miles east of Lynchburg Virginia, in the
After the last Confederate cabinet meeting was held on April 26, 1865, at Charlotte, North Carolina, Jefferson Davis was captured at Irwinville, Georgia, and placed under arrest. Events 1467 - The miraculous image in Our Lady of Good Counsel appear in Genazzano, Italy. Year 1865 ( MDCCCLXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule He was confined in an unheated, open casemate at Fort Monroe for two years. A casemate, sometimes rendered casement, is a fortified gun emplacement or armored structure from which guns are fired originally a vaulted chamber in a Fortress. Some historians have speculated that his treatment in captivity was intended to be lethal. In poor health, Davis was released in May, 1867, on bail, which was posted by prominent citizens of both Northern and Southern states, including Horace Greeley and Cornelius Vanderbilt, who had become convinced he was being treated unfairly. Horace Greeley ( February 3, 1811 &ndash November 29, 1872) was an American editor of a leading newspaper, a founder Cornelius Vanderbilt ( May 27 1794 &ndash January 4 1877) also known by the Sobriquets The Commodore or The federal government proceeded no further in its prosecution due to the constitutional concerns of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase. The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the federal judiciary. Salmon Portland Chase ( January 13, 1808 – May 7, 1873) was an American politician and jurist in the Civil War era
The Journal of the United States Artillery was founded at Fort Monroe in 1892 by First Lieutenant (later General) John Wilson Ruckman and four other officers of the Artillery School. The Journal of the United States Artillery was founded at Fort Monroe, Virginia in 1892 by First Lieutenant (later General John Wilson Ruckman, Cornelis DeWitt John Wilson Ruckman (1858-1921 was born at Deers Illinois a flag-station just southeast of the University of Illinois Ruckman served as the editor of the Journal for four years (July 1892 to January 1896) and published several articles therein afterward. One publication by West Point notes Ruckman's “guidance” and “first-rate quality” work were obvious as the Journal “rose to high rank among the service papers of the world. "USMA" redirects here For other uses see USMA (disambiguation The United States Military Academy (also known as USMA, ” The Journal was renamed the Coast Artillery Journal in 1922 and the Antiaircraft Journal in 1948.
Twentieth century
Over time the armament at Fort Monroe was improved, taking advantage of new technologies. In addition, the fort controlled several sub installations around Hampton Roads, making the area one of the most heavily defended in the United States.
The Jamestown Exposition held in 1907 at Hampton Roads, featured an extensive naval review, including the Great White Fleet. The Jamestown Exposition was one of the many World's fairs and Expositions that were popular in the United States early part of the 20th century Year 1907 ( MCMVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water and the region of land areas which surround it in southeastern Virginia in the USA. This page describes reviews of the US Fleet For Fleet Reviews of the Royal Navy, see Fleet Review Royal Navy, or for reviews of other national navies see The Great White Fleet was the popular nickname for the United States Navy battle fleet that completed a Circumnavigation of the globe from December 16, Beginning in 1917, the former exposition site at Sewell's Point became a major base of the United States Navy. Sewell's Point is a Peninsula of land in the Independent city of Norfolk Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water Currently, Norfolk Navy Base is the base supporting naval forces operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean. Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces operating in the Atlantic Ocean, The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's Oceanic divisions covering about 20% of the water on the Earth 's surface It is the world's largest naval station based on supported military population.
Fort Monroe and Fort Wool stood guard during World War I and World War II, and successfully protected Hampton Roads and the important military and civilian resources located inland. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including
By World War II, Fort Monroe served as headquarters for an impressive array of coast artillery guns ranging from 3-inch rapid fire guns to 16-inch guns capable of firing a 2,000 pound projectile 25 miles. In addition, the Army controlled submarine barriers and underwater mine fields. But this vast array of armaments was all made obsolete after the second World War by the development of the long-range bomber and the aircraft carrier .
After the operational armament was removed, Fort Monroe received a mission that it still maintains to this day. Since World War II, it has served as the major headquarters for training soldiers for war. In 1973, Fort Monroe became home to the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), which combines the recruitment, training and education of soldiers with the development of operational doctrine. United States Army Training and Doctrine Command ( TRADOC) is an army command of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Monroe, Virginia
Fort Monroe today
Fort Monroe supports a daytime population of about 2,096, including 1,105 people in uniform, 1,991 civilian and contract employees, and about 814 family members residing on post. The major tenant unit is the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). United States Army Training and Doctrine Command ( TRADOC) is an army command of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Monroe, Virginia
In addition to continuing to serve as an active military installation, Fort Monroe has become a popular historical site. The Casemate Museum, opened in 1951, depicts the history of Fort Monroe and Old Point Comfort, with special emphasis on the Civil War period. Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South It offers a view of Confederate President Jefferson Davis' prison cell. Jefferson Finis Davis ( June 3, 1808 &ndash December 6, 1889) was an American politician who served as President of the Also shown are the quarters occupied by 1st Lt. Robert E. Lee in 1831-34, and the quarters where President Abraham Lincoln was a guest in May, 1862. Robert Edward Lee (January 19 1807 &ndash October 12 1870 was a career United States Army officer, an Engineer, and among the most celebrated Abraham Lincoln (February 12 1809 &ndash April 15 1865 the sixteenth President of the United States, successfully led his country through its greatest internal
Fort Monroe is the scene of many running events, including for many years, the Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon.
Nearby, Fort Monroe's companion guardian of Hampton Roads, Fort Wool, located at Rip Raps is also available for tours. Fort Wool (originally named Fort Calhoun was the companion to Fort Monroe in protecting Hampton Roads from seafaring threats Rip Raps is a small 15 acre (60000 m² artificial Island at the mouth of the harbor area known as Hampton Roads in the independent city of Hampton in
Note: Fort Wool is located adjacent to one of the man-made islands of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and is accessible only by water. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT is the -long (56 km Hampton Roads crossing for Interstate 64 and U The availability of public tours of both Fort Wool and Fort Monroe are subject to Homeland Security Alert conditions. The term homeland security refers to the broad national effort by all levels of government to protect its territory from hazards both internal and external natural and man-made
Base Realignment and Closure, 2005
The Department of Defense released a list on 13 May 2005, of military installations recommended for closure and/or realignment--among them is Fort Monroe. The United States Department of Defense ( DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The list was approved by President George W. Bush on 15 September 2005, and submitted to Congress. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses Congress failed to act within forty-five legislative days to disapprove the list in its entirety, and the BRAC recommendations subsequently became law. Installations on the BRAC list must close within six years.
Redevelopment possibilities
It is unclear as to what will become of the post after closing. Generally, surplus military installations are turned over to the respective states. Redevelopment will be facilitated by the fact that most of the land on which the fort stands was loaned by the state of Virginia to the federal government, and will revert to the state once Fort Monroe closes.
Virginia historically has given local government strong consideration in determining disposition at that point, such as occurred at Fort Pickett in Nottoway County (near Blackstone) in the Southside region. Fort Pickett, Virginia is a Virginia Army National Guard installation located near the town of Blackstone Virginia. Nottoway County is a county located in the US state &mdash officially " Commonwealth " &mdash of Virginia. Blackstone is a town in Nottoway County, Virginia, United States. Traditionally the term Southside refers to the portion of Virginia east of the Blue Ridge Mountains and south of the James River, the geographic feature Given the historic significance of the post, the decommissioned fort will be a good candidate for portions to become one of the preserved historical sites located throughout the greater Hampton Roads area. Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water and the region of land areas which surround it in southeastern Virginia in the USA. Redevelopment to help offset the economic loss of a base closure is usually a priority as well.
The City of Hampton has recently received numerous unsolicited proposals for high-end residential and commercial development on the site once Fort Monroe is decommissioned. Because of the scarcity and desirability of waterfront property, the fort area is prime development property. The historic Chamberlin Hotel, for example, has already been sold to a developer and is being renovated as retirement apartments. The Chamberlin Hotel is a historic hotel in Hampton, Virginia, overlooking Hampton Roads at Old Point Comfort.
There are several groups competing for control of the site. The Citizens for a Fort Monroe National Park [1]are advocating turning the National Historic Landmark site over to the National Park Service to ensure its historic preservation. A National Historic Landmark (NHL is a Building, site, Structure, Object, or District, that is officially recognized by the The National Park Service ( NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation Several public meetings have been held, with no clear plan as to which faction will or should control of the Gibraltar of the Chesapeake.
Trivia
- A man-made island across the navigational channel of the mouth of Hampton Roads from Old Point Comfort was created for Fort Calhoun (a portion of the Fort Monroe complex later renamed Fort Wool). Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water and the region of land areas which surround it in southeastern Virginia in the USA. Old Point Comfort is a point of land located in the Independent city of Hampton at the extreme tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of Fort Wool (originally named Fort Calhoun was the companion to Fort Monroe in protecting Hampton Roads from seafaring threats This man-made island found a new purpose in 1957, when it was used to anchor the south portal of the 7,000 foot tunnel of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT is the -long (56 km Hampton Roads crossing for Interstate 64 and U
- The quarters occupied by Robert E. Lee while stationed at Fort Monroe are still in use as military family housing.
See also
References
- ^ National Register Information System. Fort Wool (originally named Fort Calhoun was the companion to Fort Monroe in protecting Hampton Roads from seafaring threats Sewell's Point is a Peninsula of land in the Independent city of Norfolk Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water The Battle of Hampton Roads, often called the Battle of Monitor and Merrimack, was a United States Army Training and Doctrine Command ( TRADOC) is an army command of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Monroe, Virginia National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor
External links
- Fort Monroe official website
- Fort Monroe, Fortress, Hampton, VA: 57 b&w photos, 1 color photo, at Historic American Building Survey
- GlobalSecurity.org Fort Monroe webpage
- Fort Monroe Casemate Museum
- TRADOC website
- Fort Monroe unofficial website
- U.S. Department of Defense website
- Site for Citizens for a Fort Monroe National Park (CFMNP.org)
- 2nd Regiment, United States Colored Cavalry
- 1st Regiment, United States Colored Cavalry
- Photograph from the Library of Congress collection
- Google Earth KML File
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