A Brief History of Fort Caswell

The Cape Fear River was lined with Confederate and other earlier fortifications. The primary ones were Fort Johnston, located at Southport, and Fort Anderson, at Brunswick Town. The main defense shifted to Bald Head Point on Bald Head Island, and Oak Point on Oak Island where Fort Caswell was built. Begun in 1827, construction continued until 1838, and it was one of only three masonry forts in the state before the Civil War. It was named in 1833 for Richard Caswell, Continental Congressman, Revolutionary War officer, and the first Governor of North Carolina. It was captured by the Confederates in 1861. There was once a citadel in the center. Built of stone and earthworks, the fort was partially destroyed in a mine explosion during the Civil War and was abandoned only when Fort Fisher fell in 1865. A small earthwork battery was proposed at this location in 1813. Located to the west of the old fort were the Confederate earthworks Fort Shaw (one gun), and Fort Campbell (both 1862 - 1865). Both are also referred to as batteries. They were destroyed in order to avoid capture. Fort Campbell had 18 guns and a large bomb-proof magazine, and was located about where Battery Shipp is now located. Battery Shaw was located about halfway between Fort Campbell and Fort Caswell, at the location of Battery Swift.

COASTAL DEFENSES OF WILMINGTON
Modern coastal defense batteries here are Battery Bagley (1903 - 1925), Battery Caswell (1899 - 1925), which was modified for a swimming pool, Battery Swift (1898 - 1920), Battery New Madison (1905 - 1917), Battery McDonough (1902 - 1905), Battery Shipp (1901 - 1919)), Battery Madison (1899 - 1904), Battery McKavett (1903 - 1920), and Battery New McDonough (1904 - 1925). Most of the post buildings remain in good condition. A fire-control station was located near the Oak Island lighthouse, another on Bald Head Point, and another at Fort Fisher. The reservation was used in WWII as a Navy Section Base and Army Depot, and the Command Tower became the HECP. The fort is on private property (NC Baptist Assembly), but tours can be arranged.