A Brunswick County place once served as a military fort to protect valuable exports and North Carolina.
Located in downtown Southport at the mouth of the Cape Fear River is last remains of Fort Johnston. Fort Johnston was the first permanent British fort built in North Carolina and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places after serving in battles and conflicts.
The fort property at 203 E. Bay St. is now owned by the city of Southport and used to educate and preserve some of the city’s unique history, like its involvement in the American Revolution.
Why it matters
The original fort was mostly burned to the ground in July 1775, after local patriots stormed and torched the fort in defiance of British rule. Many believe this was the first military act of the Revolutionary War in North Carolina…