Central Coastal North Carolina

Last Update: 07/OCTOBER/2009

Compiled by Pete Payette - ฉ2009 American Forts Network

Camp Cameron
(1862), Jacksonville
A CSA camp.

Camp Branch (3)
(History of Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base)
(1941 - 1944), near Jacksonville
A WWII Coast Artillery barrage balloon training camp, located at Courthouse Bay on the Camp Lejeune Marine Base. The Marine Corps Engineering School moved here in 1945.

* The following is for historical interest only *
Camp Lejeune was established by the Marines in May 1941. Originally known as New River Marine Barracks until late 1942. Subordinate facilities on the main reservation include: Mainside the administrative area at Hadnot Point, Camp Geiger (originally Tent Camp until 1952) on the west side of the river below town, Camp Gilbert Johnson (originally Montford Point Camp until 1974) at Montford Point adjacent to town, Courthouse Bay Camp, Stone Bay Camp, and the New River Marine Corps Air Station (established 1943 as Peterfield Point Airfield, renamed 1951). The Greater Sandy Run Training Area is off-post near Holly Ridge, a subpost of New River MCAS.

Bear Island Fort
(Hammocks Beach State Park)
(1749 - unknown), Bear Inlet
A small wooden NC colonial militia fort was once located here for protection against the Spanish. The actual site has eroded into the sea.

Huggins' Island Fort
(1862), Huggins Island
A Confederate six-gun fort guarding Bogue Inlet. It was burned by the Union in April 1862. The earthworks still remain. Administered by Hammocks Beach State Park.
See also History of Hammocks Beach State Park

Cape Lookout Fort
(1757), Cape Lookout area
A NC colonial militia fort was proposed for this location to prevent French vessels from using the anchorage, but it is uncertain if it was ever actually built.

Fort Hancock
(1778 - 1780), Shackleford Banks
Located at the far eastern end of the island at Barden Inlet. Built by French Marines to protect their ships in Lookout Bight. It was later dismantled. Remains supposedly still existed as late as 1899. A marker is located on Harker's Island at Shell Point.

Carolina City Camp
(1861 - 1862), Morehead City
A large Confederate camp covering over one square mile in area. It was taken by the Union in April 1862 during the Fort Macon campaign. Site is now Morehead City Park at 10th and Arendell Streets.

Other CSA camps located in the general area were: Camp Argyle, Camp Burgwyn (1) located at Atlantic Beach, Camp Canal in Morehead City, Camp Vance (3) one mile west of the city, and Camp Wilkes (1861) two miles from Fort Macon.

Camp Glenn
(1911 - 1918/1921, 1941 - 1945), near Morehead City
A state National Guard summer tent camp located west of town. Following World War I it became a Navy base (1918 - 1920). Then it became the first U.S. Coast Guard air station (1920 - 1921). The Navy returned in 1941 establishing an Area Section Base.

Fort Macon (State Park)
(U.S.C.G. Station Fort Macon)
(1834 - 1903, 1941 - 1946), Atlantic Beach
Earlier forts were located here, including: Fort Dobbs (2) (1756), which was never completed, and five-gun Fort Hampton (1809 - 1815). The sites of both eventually eroded into the sea, especially after an 1825 hurricane. The inlet was undefended during the American Revolution.

The current fort was one of only three masonry forts in the state before the Civil War. The Confederates held it from April 1861 to April 1862. Union seige batteries were located on Bogue Island: Flagler's Battery (four mortars), Morris' Battery (three guns), and Prouty's Battery (four mortars), general sites are marked. The fort was used as a Federal military prison from 1865 to 1876. A temporary battery was set up on the parapet in 1898. Black state troops were encamped outside the fort in 1898 until transferred to Camp Poland in Tennessee. This was the second state park established in North Carolina (1924). It was restored by the C.C.C. in 1935. The Army regained the use of the fort in WWII (see below). A Life-Saving Station was built here in 1904. The Coast Guard recieved title to 22.6 acres in 1924. The docks were built and used by the Army from 1941 - 1946. The Coast Guard Base was established here in 1949. The Base and the Life-Saving Station were combined in 1965. Another website at CrystalCoast.com
North Carolina Coastal Defenses - Outer Banks

คคค TEMPORARY HARBOR DEFENSES of BEAUFORT INLET
North Carolina Coastal Defenses - Outer Banks
World War II at Fort Macon by Paul Branch

คคค Fort Macon and Cape Lookout Batteries
(Fort Macon State Park) (Cape Lookout National Seashore)
(1941 - 1945), Atlantic Beach and Cape Lookout
On the beach at Ft. Macon during World War II was Battery Macon, which had four 155mm guns (1941-1942) in revetments (no Panama mounts), and later two 6-inch naval guns (1942-1944) on concrete mounts. The gun site was eroded away during 1954 Hurricane Hazel. Two 75mm field guns were emplaced on Bogue Point in 1941. Two mobile 90mm guns were emplaced on Bogue Point (1944-1945) near the rock jetty, as an examination battery. Battery Atlantic Beach (1941-1942), four 155mm guns in revetments (no Panama mounts), was located two and a half miles west of Atlantic Beach, almost due south of Camp Glenn in Morehead City. Two guns were later sent to Cape Lookout. There was a concrete observation post and plotting room (now in ruins) behind and slightly east of Battery Macon, another observation post by Battery Atlantic Beach, and a Harbor Entrance Control Post (dismantled after the war) on the parapet of Fort Macon. Another observation post was located on Shackleford Banks, on the western side by the inlet, and another about two miles west of Battery Atlantic Beach on Bogue Banks. There were seven searchlight positions from Atlantic Beach to Cape Lookout Point.

At Cape Lookout was Battery Cape Lookout which had two 155mm guns (1942) in revetments (no Panama mounts), and later two 5-inch naval guns (1942-1944) on concrete mounts. That battery is now in the surf near the old Coast Guard Station. An SCR-296A radar tower was in the dunes in front of the Coast Guard Station, and a Battery Commander's tower was on the shore behind the battery. Observation posts were located on Shackleford Banks near Bald Hill Bay, and on South Core Banks about four miles northeast of the Lighthouse. A Naval Radio Compass tower was 340 yards west of the SCR-296A radar tower. There were four 75mm guns (1941-1943) in field emplacements around the Coast Guard Station. Lookout Bight was a mined and net-protected safe anchorage for allied merchant ships until 1944.

Newport Barracks
(1861 - 1865), Newport
Confederate winter barracks captured by the Union in April 1862. Became the Union command post for the defensive system from New Bern to Morehead City.

Camp Graham
(1861 - 1862), Newport
A CSA camp located near the later-built Union Fort Benjamin.

Fort Benjamin
(1862), Newport
A Union fort located across the Newport River from town.

Havelock Station Blockhouse
(1862 - 1864), Havelock
A Union log blockhouse near Master's Mill that protected the railroad trestle over Slocum Creek. It was burned by CSA raiders in 1864.
(thanks to Edward Ellis, Havelock historian, for providing info)

Fort Pollock
(1712 - unknown), Carteret County
A NC colonial militia fort built somewhere on Core Sound (exact location undetermined).

Fort Dixie
(1861 - 1862), Flanner Beach
A CSA four-gun redoubt, about one mile southeast of Fort Thompson. It was the left flank of the Croatan Line, a defensive line of trenchworks running southwest. The line was found abandoned by the Union as they advanced to New Bern in March 1862. No remains.

Fort Thompson
(1861 - 1862), near Riverdale
A CSA 13-gun redoubt with supporting earthworks, located about six miles south of New Bern. It was captured by the Union in March 1862. Private property. About 200 yards of the earthwork line are still extant east of the railroad. Several redans west of the railroad are also extant, but in heavy tree growth. CSA trenchworks were once located nearby in the present-day Craven County Fairgrounds.

Fort Ellis (2)
(1861 - 1862), near Granthams
A CSA eight-gun battery located about four miles south of New Bern on the Neuse River. The magazine was blown up when it was about to be captured by the Union.

CSA Camp Branch (1) was nearby. Just south of here, near Johnson Point, was the unfinished CSA two-gun Fort Allen.

Fort Brice
(1711 - 1715), New Bern
A NC colonial militia fort built by Capt. William Brice at his plantation on the Trent River. This was one of eleven forts built for the settlers' protection during the Tuscarora War. (NOTE: possibly the same as "Old Fort" which was noted on Civil War maps.)

Fort Lane
(1775 - 1776, 1861 - 1865), New Bern
Located on Fort Point (Union Point Park), originally called Fort Caswell (1), a NC state militia fort guarding New Bern from a British naval attack. The British briefly occupied the town in August 1781. The Confederates rebuilt the old fort into a three-gun battery and renamed it. The Union captured it in March 1862.

Civil War Defenses of New Bern
(1861 - 1865), New Bern
Early Confederate defenses included:
Fort Astor, located south of town on the north-bank of the Trent River.
Fort Brown (eight guns), undetermined location.
Fort Holmes (1), undetermined location.
Camp Gatlin, located behind Fort Lane.

Trenches were built from the Neuse River to the Trent River west of town after the town was captured by Union forces in March 1862, with a fort in the center and a fort at each end.
Fort Totten, a 28-gun seven-acre five-bastioned fort that was the southern anchor of the western line. No remains, site now on private property, located between US 17 and US 70.
Fort Rowan, the middle fort in the line, a five-gun four-pointed star fort guarding the railroad into town.
Fort Dutton (aka Fort Union), at the north-end of the line at the Neuse River.
Fort Stevenson, a five-gun work located just west (upriver) from Fort Dutton.
An unnamed fort was located in town at the railroad bridge across the Trent River.

South of town across the Trent River was an additional line of Union works, with a blockhouse in the center on the railroad coming from the south.
Fort Amory, at the west-end on the Trent River. Parts of its ramparts and ditch can still be seen. Camp Amory was adjacent. Camp Pendleton was also nearby.
Fort Spinola, at the east-end on the Neuse River. Camp Massachusetts was adjacent.
Fort Gaston, a palisaded two-gun fort guarding an old bridge across the Trent River, south of Fort Amory and north of the mouth of Brice Creek. Camp Gaston (previously a CSA camp site) was located outside the palisade. Earthworks still remain on private property.
Camp Pierce, undetermined location, previously a CSA camp site.
Located at the mouth of Brice Creek was Union Old Fort (probably originally CSA in 1861). A blockhouse was further south along Brice Creek, guarding a Union cavalry camp.

Located across the Neuse River from New Bern were:
Fort Anderson (2), near the mouth of Mills Branch, directly north of Fort Dutton. Attacked by Confederates in 1863.
Fort Chase in Bridgeton, directly across from New Bern.

Union Fort Pearson (1864), undetermined location.
Union Camp Reno (2) (1862), undetermined location.
Union Camp Andrews (1862) (previously a CSA camp site), undetermined location.

Several Confederate batteries (1862) were located along the Neuse River from New Bern to Kinston to prevent further Union advances.

Civil War exhibits are at the New Bern Academy Museum located at New and Hancock Streets, once used as a hospital during the war. Administered by the Tryon Palace Historic Site.

Camp Battle
(1941 - 1942), near New Bern
A WWII Coast Artillery AA gun position guarding the bridges over the Neuse and Trent Rivers. Located at a former 1930's C.C.C. camp.

Camp Beech Grove
(1864 - 1865), near River Bend
A Union cavalry camp located nine miles west of New Bern. Site now Beech Grove Church on NC 1401. Also known as Grove Camp.

Nearby, or the same camp, was Union cavalry Camp Palmer (1863).

Camp Hoffman
(1862 - 1865), near Tuscarora
A Union camp located northwest of New Bern along the north-side of the railroad. A blockhouse was located northeast on Bachelor Creek.

Secoton
(c. 1585), Beaufort County (?)
A palisaded Indian village visited by John White in 1585, made famous in his watercolors of the expedition. Possibly located somewhere near Aurora.

Fort Hyde
(1711 - 1715), Beaufort County
A NC colonial militia fort during the Tuscarora Indian War, located at Core Point on the south-shore of the Pamlico River, opposite Bath.
(NOTE: Garrison Point is located nearby, opposite Durham Creek to the southeast.)

Fort Reading
(1711 - 1715), near Washington
A NC colonial militia defense during the Tuscarora Indian War. Located at Lionel Reading's Plantation on the south bank of the Pamlico River opposite town, near Whichard's Beach.

Civil War Defenses of Washington
(1862 - 1865), Washington
Union troops captured the town and built a line of earthwork fortifications around the town in June 1862. Clockwise from the north:
Fort Cerris (three guns), manned by Navy sailors.
Blockhouse No. One (one gun)
Blockhouse No. Two (one gun)
Fort Washington (eight guns), at 10th and Market Streets.
Blockhouse No. Three (one gun), with a one-gun battery.
Fort Lombard, an infantry redoubt.
Blockhouse No. Four (one gun)
Fort Hamilton (three guns)
Castle Island Battery, a four-gun naval battery.
A Citadel Fort was garrisoned in town at 2nd and Bridge Streets. One of the blockhouses was at present-day 2nd Street and Hackney Street. The remains of a battery is at 9th and Market Streets. All others no longer exist.

The Confederates attempted to recapture Washington in April 1863, with many camps and seige batteries surrounding the town on both sides of the river, including Rodman's Point Battery just below the town. None remain.

Fort Hill (2)
(1863), near McConnell
Several CSA earthwork batteries (14 guns) were located at Hill's Point along the southern shore of the Pamlico River in the effort to retake Washington. Possibly still exists. Camp Hardee (a Girl Scout camp) is now at the site. A marker is located on NC 33 just southeast of Chocowinity.

Bath Town Fort
(Bath State Historic Site)
(1711 - 1715), Bath
As an important colonial town and port (settled in 1705), a hill fort and/or shore battery may have been located here. The first colonial shipyard in North Carolina was established here in 1707. The town was at the center of the 1711 Cary's Rebellion. It was also a major refugee center during the Tuscarora War which also began in 1711.

Aquascogoc
(c. 1585), Belhaven (?)
A palisaded Indian village which was attacked and destroyed by Sir Richard Grenville in 1585 over a stolen silver cup.

Fort Hall
(1861), Hyde County
A CSA work located on the Pungo River. Exact site undetermined.

NEED MORE INFO: Garrison Point in Beaufort County, at the mouth of Durham Creek on the Pamlico River.

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