Fort Caswell, Confederate fort located in NC Photo Gallery by Kenny Carter at pbase.com

Fort Caswell, Confederate fort located in NC

Fort Caswell is located near Southport, NC and is owned by The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, which purchased the 250 acre fort from the Government on Sept. 29, 1949 for $86,000. At that time, there were 77 buildings located on the property. It was built between the years of 1826 and 1836.

Fort Caswell entrance	Engine House fireplace	Rusty door hinge	Wall right of entrance
Arch	Fort Caswell	Engine House	Engine house 2
Interior of Engine House	Another view of Engine House fireplace	Fort view	Another fort view
Concrete steps			Katie
		Obviously not here during the War Between the States...	Another fireplace
Another view...	Caution	Rifle Port

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Guest		30-Apr-2007 21:27
HEY CASWELL, CASWELL HAS MADE A POSITIVE CHANGE IN MY LIFE. IT HAS MADE ME GET CLOSER TO GOD AND MADE ONE OF MY FRIENDS GET SAVED. IT HAS ALSO BEEN AN AWESOME EXPERINCE WITH GOD AND ALSO THE COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOU SHOULD NOT GO TO CASWELL JUST TO GET A GUY OR GIRL TO BE YOUR PARTNER YOU SHOULD GO TO GET CLOSER TO GOD I NOW I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT IT WAS MY FIRST TIME AND MY YOUTH HAD BEEN BEFORE SO THEY NEW BUT I DIDN'T WELL I GOT TO HERE ABOUT IT BEFORE WE WENT AND SOUNDED SO MUCH FUN. I WENT AND GOT CLOSER TO GOD AND ALSO CLOSER TO MY YOUTH BUT MOSTLY CLOSER TO GOD THOUGH AND THAT IS AN AWESOME THING AND I HANGING OUT AT THE HATCH AND LISTENING AND SINGING AND JUMPING FOR GOD HAS NEVER FELT SO GOOD UNTIL I WENT AND THAT COLLEGE WAS THERE AND THAT PREACHER DAVE THOMAS HE WAS JUST AWESOME AND I WANT HIM TO BE MY PEACHER ALL THE TIME AND WOULD LOVE FOR HIM TO BE OUR CHURCH PREACHER AND THERE IS NO WORDS TO EXPLAIN MYN EXCITMENT FOR THIS TRIP THAN TO SAY I WOULD LOVE TO GO BACK AND EVEN I CAN SAY WHAT SIDE OF THE CROSS I AM ON NOW I KNOW FOR SURE I AM ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CROSS AND I ALSO KNOW I WILL BE LIVING WITH JESUS AND GOD ONE DAY

Brittany		30-Apr-2007 21:06
I HAD SO MUCH FUN WHEN I WENT. I AM STILL TALKING ABOUT ALL THE FUN I HAD. THE FUNNY THING IS I NEVER NEW WORSHIPING GOD COULD BE SO MUCH FUN AND I BROUGHT THOSE MEMORIES BACK AND THIS TRIP GOT ME ON THE RIGHT PATH AGAIN AND I AM SO MUCH CLOSER TO GOD AND IT FEELS SO GOOD. I AM TELLING EVERYONE I KNOW ABOUT THIS EXPERINCE AND IT WAS FUN AND THAT THEY SHOULD TALK TO THERE CHURCH AND MAYBE EVEN GO WITH THERE CHURCH IT WILL GET YOU CLOSER TO GOD. MY EXAMPLE IS WHEN I LEFT I DID NOTHING BUT LISTEN TO RAP, COUNTRY AND MAYBE SOME ROCK HERE AND THERE AND NOW I DONT LISTEN TO RAP, OR ROCK NO MORE BECAUSE I AM LISTENING TO 91.9 THE RADIO STATION WHO PLAYS PRAISE HYMNS AND IT IS AWESOME AND GIVE IT A TRY. BUT JUST DONT GO DOWN THERE TO GET A LOVE PARTNER GO DOWN THERE TO GET CLOSER TO GOD. LOVE MY GOD AND DONT YOU EVEN PUT MY GOD DOWN PUT YOURS DOWN BUT YOU ARE NOT TAKING MINE WITH YOU.

Karen		12-Oct-2006 23:19
This is a story I wrote about my visit to Fort Caswell this past Aug.: where my spirit thrives The first time I went there, I had no clue what lay ahead for me to explore, to see, to feel and to breath in. I didn't know what was happening as it was happening to me, everything was moving at a quick pace and we only had three full days to take it all in. My spirit was one with his the whole time that I was there and every where I went....I felt his spirit all around me. It was such a beutiful place to be renewed, revived, and refreshed. The sea gulls and other sea birds helped in rejuvinating my soul, the mouth of the river spilling into the ocean is an awesome yet, turbulent area to gaze into from the pier, the sand moves effortlessly under the water and gentley sways the pier to and fro. Standing on the shore of the river watching the boats go by on it sending in waves to crash on the sand sent my mind wondering back to biblical days and I could almost see my saviour walking across the waters. The vespers atop the old fort was so inspiring and the breaking of the bread and dipping it into the grape juice was even more realistic. Exploring the fort was a little scarry at first but, then I realized it was only big storage rooms mostly. The most beautiful room was the arched celinged one made of small red bricks and had a wooden floor. I was just getting used to and really enjoying the morning and evening chapel times when it was time to pack up the bus and leave. I eagerly awaite my next visit to the very special place where my spirit thrives and even though my first Christian hero will not be there....I will still love every minute of my visit next year. I'm sure the entertainment will be almost as good as Ed Kilbourne. Fort Caswell....the place where my spirit thrives. By: Karen Russ

Robyn		16-Sep-2006 01:04
Enjoyed your Caswell pictures! I feel like I grew up at Ft Caswell. I was less than 6 months old the first time I went. My Aunt worked for the NC Baptist Convention so my family went every summer til I was in college. I've been a few times with my own family since then. I hadn't seen the inside of the engine house before. Thanks!!

ashley		02-May-2006 20:00
i have been to ft. caswell 2 times....it is very fun goin on all of the forts...it is a GREAT place to play hide and seek or tag...but it is really fun.

CJ		04-Apr-2006 00:44
I went to Fort Caswell only one time, and I LOVE the beach going through the forts and watching not only the sun fall, but rise, it is a amazing place and I can not wait to go back.

Kenny Carter		03-Feb-2006 01:31
Hi Trixie, I just took a look at the web site for Ft. Caswell athttp://www.fortcaswell.com/index1.htm It says, "The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, which purchased the 250 acre fort from the Government on Sept. 29, 1949 for $86,000. At that time, there were 77 buildings located on the property. We used to go there for opening rehearsals of the Grand Strand Passion Play in January each year (seehttp://www.gspp.org ). It was always an interesting place to be that time of year, with the cold weather and the fort and all.... They charge for rooms and meals, much like any other resort area. Thanks, Kenny Carter ================================= A Short Account of the History of Fort Caswell On January 31, 1946, Fort Caswell was designated as war surplus and assigned for disposal. The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina purchased the 250 acre fort from the Government on Sept. 29, 1949 for $86,000. At that time, there were 77 buildings located on the property. The North Carolina Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell is located on Oak Island at the mouth of the Cape Fear River (from 1526 until 1662 the river was recorded on the maps as the River Jordan). It is bounded on the south by the Atlantic Ocean and on the north by the Elizabeth River. The original fortification, much of which still stands, is the brick structure near the end of the island, overlooking the mouth of the Cape Fear River. This part of Fort Caswell was under construction from 1826 until 1836. The remainder of the fort, seven long cement batteries, along with barracks and officer’s quarters, a hospital/morgue, bakery, horse barn, firehouse & prison, were built around the turn of the century. This area was an important settlement and attracted everyone from international travelers to pirates. Smith Island, now named Bald Head which forms the cape, was once one of the main pirates refuges, as was Smithville, now named Southport, and, of course, Oak Island. Notorious pirates, Steed Bonnett, Richard Worley, Mary Ann Blithe, and Blackbeard (Edward Teach) frequented these waters, hiding out in the bays. Because of the lack of adequate defenses in this area, in 1825 Congress authorized the construction of a fort on Oak Island. The fort was an outstanding engineering accomplishment, one of the strongest in the world. It was a pentagonal structure with a two-story citadel and surrounded by a dry moat and a wet moat. It was named in 1833 for the first Governor of NC, elected by the General Assembly, and Revolutionary hero, Richard Caswell. During the Civil War, 1861-1865, many soldiers died here from yellow fever, small pox, and other diseases. However, there was never a life lost to enemy fire at Ft. Caswell, even though the fort changed hands four times during the War. Fort Caswell remained in ruins after the War Between the States. It was not until April 14, 1896, when the U.S. began to be more involved in world affairs, that money was appropriated to reconstruct the fort. By 1916 Fort Caswell was again one of the most important military posts on the East Coast. It was the Headquarters of the Cape Fear Coastal Defenses and was manned by three companies of Coast Artillery Corps under the command of Col. Charles A. Bennett. The armament consisted of mortars, direct and rapid-fire guns and a mine defense. The fort was used as an Army training camp in World War I. After World War I, the world was thought to be at peace for good and in 1923 the Coast Artillery abandoned Fort Caswell. One reason for its abandonment was its isolation. Until 1928, there was no road to Oak Island. The only means of approach was by water. During World War II, Fort Caswell served as an army base and submarine lookout post. Once more the fort helped protect the North Carolina coast and the port of Wilmington during a military crises. During the Persian Gulf War, again we played a vital part in the defense of our country. We housed 165 military personnel who worked at a nearby ocean terminal loading ships going to the Gulf. After the war, we housed military personnel while they unloaded ships. The same was true during the Haitian war. Today, the N.C. Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell is a religious retreat and conference center and is opened year round, with the exception of Christmas through New Year’s Day.

T Belden		26-Oct-2005 20:36
Just wondering...How did the Baptist Assembly obtain this land? Or why? In late 60's, used to be able to access the fort from the beach. Great fun to explore. At that time, there were just the huge bulls roaming around on the property. Then in 90's, you could drive through the front gate, but were told NOT to get out of your car. So...what goes on there...now? ~Trixie~

Kenny Carter		27-Jan-2005 12:49
Thanks, C Ivester. I made the name changes. Kenny

C Ivester		14-Apr-2004 01:28
The photo of the digning hall and fire place are realy the engine house that the steam powered train that was used to carry ammo and suplies to the batterys on the property. A book is avalible from the North Carolina Baptist Coastal Retreat on their web site WWW.fortcaswell.com this will help in ay discrepencys.

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