Oak Island in Brunswick County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort Caswell

Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 15, 2008

1. Fort Caswell Marker

Inscription. Seized by N.C. Militia three months before firing on Fort Sumter. Governor Ellis ordered its return to Federal Authority; three miles east.

Erected 1969 by Archives and Highway Departments. (Marker Number D-62.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list.

Location. 33° 54.517′ N, 78° 4.417′ W. Marker is on Oak Island, North Carolina, in Brunswick County. It is at the intersection of Country Club Road (State Highway 133) and Yaupon Drive, on the right when traveling south on Country Club Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oak Island NC 28465, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hurricane Hazel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battery Shipp (approx. 2.9 miles away); Battery Bagley (approx. 3.1 miles away); Robert C. Ruark (approx. 3.1 miles away); Indian Trail Tree (approx. 3.1 miles away); Robert Ruark (approx. 3.2 miles away); Catalino Tingzon (approx. 3.2 miles away); Southport’s First Fire Alarm (approx. 3.2 miles away).

Regarding Fort Caswell.

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Fort Caswell is now on the grounds of the North Carolina Baptist Assembly and is used for youth summer camp and youth and adult retreats. When there are no large events in progress visitors can drive through the grounds, park, and climb around the fort and other structures. A day pass, good until 5 PM is $3 per person. To reach the fort, continue south on Country Club Road, which will turn east and become Caswell Beach Road. The Assembly grounds begin at the end of the road, at a gatehouse.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 15, 2008

2. Fort Caswell Marker

If you look closely on to the left of this marker you can see the Hurricane Hazel marker across the street two blocks away.

Fort Caswell Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, February 17, 2009

3. Fort Caswell Entrance

The following is stencilled on the lintel: “Fort Caswell. Built 1826–1836, cost $173,102. Named for Richard Caswell, first governor of North Carolina.”

A Corner of Five-Sided Fort Caswell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, February 17, 2009

4. A Corner of Five-Sided Fort Caswell

Inside Fort Caswell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, February 17, 2009

5. Inside Fort Caswell

One of the five walls is missing; destroyed when the powder magazine was blown up by the garrison in 1865 when they were abandoning the fort.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 29, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,085 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 29, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 21, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.