Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Crafford

December 14, 2024

1. Fort Crafford Marker

Inscription. This Pentagon-shaped earth work was constructed by Confederate forces in 1861-62. Taking its name from the family living here, it became the right anchor of MG John B. Magruder's line of defense across the Peninsula from Yorktown. The fort was abandoned without combat in May 1862 when the CSA withdrew to Richmond in the beginning of the Peninsula Campaign. A fine example of its type, it was designated a National Historic Place in 1974.

Erected 1975 by Corporation of Newport News, Virginia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 37° 7.775′ N, 76° 37.059′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. It can be reached from Harrison Road one mile east of Harrison Road, on the left when traveling south. This marker is on post at Fort Eustis. Access is restricted to individuals with base access or sponsored visitors. Marker is accessed by a dirt road that runs east from Harrison Road just before the James River Reserve Fleet gate. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Hampton Roads,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Crafford House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Maj Morris Sketch

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(about 500 feet away); Mulberry Point & Sir Thomas West (approx. 0.8 miles away); Felker Army Airfield (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Lee Hall Balloon School (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Civil War on Fort Eustis (approx. 1½ miles away); John Rolfe (approx. 1.6 miles away); Native Americans on this Land (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Regarding Fort Crafford. Fort Crafford was not actually part of Magruder's Yorktown-Warwick Line, instead being behind the line. Remnants of the Magruder Line are present along the Warwick River on Fort Eustis, and culminate in the Miner Line (inaccessible - in firing range) across Mulberry Island southeast of Fort Crafford.

The fort was burned on evacuation and the west end of the fortification is substantially degraded. The interior of the fort has a pathway and limited interpretive signage for visitors. The parapets and ditches themselves are grown over with trees, vines, and bushes. The exposed foundation of the 18th Century Crafford House, dismantled in 1925 to rebuild the Wren Building at William & Mary College

Entrance to Fort Crafford image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 14, 2024

2. Entrance to Fort Crafford

The marker is to the immediate right, just out of frame. The entrance path penetrates the Northeast Bastion of the fort.

in Williamsburg, is within a fence in the middle of the fort's interior. Disturbed ground where the family graveyard was is to the immediate east of the house by about 150'. West of the Crafford House site is a foundation indention for an outbuilding, as well as imprints from earthfast 17th century buildings. Two collapsed earthen bombproofs constructed with the fort, as well as the indistinct remains of three burned earthen magazines for power, are along the western interior face. All are overgrown except for the north bombproof, which is highlighted by interpretive signage.

Also of note within the fort are four concrete foundation squares erected during WWI to support an artillery spotting tower, used to direct gunfire from Camp Wallace (located where Kingsmill Resort is today). Fort Crafford was part of the target range for artillery training at that time. The tower has long been removed.

Fort Crafford Orientation Painting image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 14, 2024

3. Fort Crafford Orientation Painting

This kiosk with an illustration of the fort and its water battery (obscured by organic buildup in this photo) sits within the fort.

Fort Crafford Interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 14, 2024

4. Fort Crafford Interior

The foundation of the Crafford House is within the fence at right. The fortifications parapet rings around the entire clearing in the background.

North Bastion of Fort Crafford image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 14, 2024

5. North Bastion of Fort Crafford

Gun platform for the north bastion of the fort, illustrating the scale of the earthwork. This is the most cleared and visible component of the fort's walls.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 5, 2025. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 5, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.