Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Old Cistern

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

1. The Old Cistern Marker

Inscription. One of several large cisterns shown on a map of 1834. No potable water was ever found on Old Point Comfort, although one well was sunk to more than 900 feet. The garrison had to depend on cistern water and water brought in from wells on the mainland.

Erected 1969.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 37° 0.159′ N, 76° 18.601′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Fort Monroe. It is on Bernard Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located inside Fortress Monroe, near the entrance to the Casemate Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Monroe VA 23651, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Peninsula

and in Coastal Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Monroe (a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Fort Monroe (a few steps from this marker); 12-Pounder Howitzer (a few steps from this marker); John Mitchel (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant John Trout Greble (within shouting distance of this marker); Honoring Dr. John J. Craven (within shouting distance of this

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marker); Confinement of Jefferson Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); Enormous Undertaking: The Fort's Construction (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.

Other markers no longer nearby. Eprouvette Mortar (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Lantaka (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Austrian 6-Pounder Gun (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Austrian 6-Pounder Gun (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); 14 – Pounder James Rifle (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Fort Monroe (Stone Fort) National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (pdf file). (Submitted on August 19, 2019.)
2. Fort Monroe National Monument, National Park Service. (Submitted on August 19, 2019.)

Marker in Fort Monroe image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

2. Marker in Fort Monroe

Fort Monroe was originally called Point Comfort. It is beleived to have been named in 1607 by the original settlers of Jamestown. Captain Christopher Newport anchored the Susan Constant near here on April 28, 1607, and members of his crew rowed to this place "which put them in good comfort."

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,873 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.