Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

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Coordinates: 33°57′15″N 77°55′47″W / 33.95417, -77.92972
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
North Carolina State Park
none
Named for: Fort Fisher
Country Flag of the United States United States
State Flag of North Carolina North Carolina
County New Hanover
Coordinates 33°57′15″N 77°55′47″W / 33.95417, -77.92972
Founded 1986
Management North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Nearest city Wilmington
Location of  Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in North Carolina
Location of Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in North Carolina
Website: Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is a North Carolina state park in New Hanover County, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Kure Beach, North Carolina, it includes the former location of Fort Fisher, site of a major naval engagement during the American Civil War. The recreation area also served as a home for the Fort Fisher Hermit, Robert Harrill. Harrill lived in a bunker and shared his beliefs about "common sense" with thousands of visitors every year while surviving on what he could gather from the surrounding salt marsh and oyster beds.

[edit] History

It was the largest naval bombardment and land-sea battle fought in any war up to that time. The outcome of the six-hour battle contributed significantly to the end of the long and bitter struggle of the Civil War. And, this historic event took place at Fort Fisher.

The city of Wilmington on the Cape Fear River was an important port of entry for the Confederacy during the Civil War. And, by late 1864, it was the last southern port open to trade. Fort Fisher, built in 1861, served to protect this valuable port from Union ships. In 1864, the first of two Union attacks on Fort Fisher took place. The fort held strong during the first battle and Union forces withdrew, but the Confederacy was not so fortunate the next time.

In early 1865, a fleet of 56 ships bombarded the fort prior to a land assault by a force of more than 3,300 infantry. Fort Fisher was captured and the Confederate supply line was broken. Approximately three months after the fall of Fort Fisher, the Civil War came to an end.

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