Who Built Fort Monroe?
Fort Monroe
Like Fort Monroe itself, the work force that built it was huge. Thousands of people helped plan and build the fort, completing its construction in 1834. This work force included free and enslaved blacks, contract laborers, army personnel, and military convicts.
The construction itself was an immense undertaking that required large numbers of skilled craftsmen and general laborers. Skilled craftsmen served as stone and brick masons, carpenters, plasterers, and boatmen.
Working on Fort Monroe's construction was not an easy job. During the course of the work day, laborers faced serious injuries, illness, and even death.
[Captions:]
Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Gratiot was the supervising engineer during the initial phases of Fort Monroe's construction.
During his tenure (1831-1834), US Army Engineer 2nd Lieutenant Robert E. Lee was responsible for the final stages of Fort Monroe's construction.
This site plan shows the work that had been completed by November of 1823.
Erected by Fort Monroe Authority; National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is
this page online
Location. 37° 0.132′ N, 76° 18.645′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Fort Monroe. It can be reached from Ingalls Road just north of Fenwick Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30 Ingalls Rd, Fort Monroe VA 23651, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Virginias 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: How Big Is Fort Monroe? (here, next to this marker); Fort Monroe's Arc Of Freedom (a few steps from this marker); A Bay Worth Preserving
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 296 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 9, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
