Getting There:

• Take I-40 East to Wilmington, NC and just continue South on Hwy 421.
• 15 miles South of Wilmington on the tip of Paradise Island near the communities of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach.
• Ride the NC Ferry system from Southport.

History:

• Fort Fisher was successful in protecting the Port of Wilmington during the American Civil War.  Wilmington was the last open Port for the Confederate Army.  It fell to Union Soldiers, 10,000 of them, on January 15, 1865.
• The Union's initial siege was defeated on Dec 24, 1864.
• Fort Fisher furnished cover and protection for the Blockade Runners who would transport the Confederacy's supplies that England shipped to Bermuda or the Bahamas. 
• Unlike older fortifications built of brick and mortar, Fort Fisher was made mostly of  earth and sand, which was ideal for absorbing the shock of heavy explosives. 

This cannon is a replica of the models used during the Civil War Siege. They could propel a 64 lb. cannon ball five miles with accuracy.
Coastal vista from the Easternmost Bunker.
Monument-Commemorates the 1900 Confederate Soldiers. 1550 North Carolinians and 350 South Carolinians.

Comments:

• Ft. Fisher was the last major stronghold of the Confederacy. 
• Listed as a NC historic site.  www.ncculture.com and here
• Hours may vary: April-September M-Sat 9-5 and Sun 1-5;  Oct-March: Tues-Sat 9-5
• Adjacent to the Park you may also want to visit the NC Aquarium or ride the NC Ferry over to Southport.