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Fort Wool
Photo: William Grimes at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons · tap to enlarge
National Register of Historic Places

Fort Wool

Also known as Fort Calhoun

On the National Register since 196957 years
FortressListed 1969Hampton
DirectionsAdd an old photo
About

About the district

Fort Wool, at Island between Willoughby Spit and Old Point Comfort, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Nov 25, 1969. It was among the first 3 of Hampton’s 31 listings. The Register lists it for its military and architecture, at the state level. It describes its style as Fortress, as it does for 1 other Virginia listings.

What it isHistoric island fortification in Virginia, US. From Wikidata (CC0). Read about it on Wikipedia ↗

PDFRead the original nominationThe form that put it on the Register, with its history, photos and a map · 14 MB · National Archives↗
Through the years

1818 to today

  1. 1818Built
  2. 1969Added to the National Register of Historic Places
  3. 2026On the Register for 57 years
Visit

Finding Fort Wool

Island between Willoughby Spit and Old Point Comfort, Hampton

Directions

No other Register listing is within a short walk. The nearest are under Around it.

Around it

5 more Register listings within 2 miles

★ National Historic Landmark · D district · B building · S site. Each opens its own page.

BOld Point Comfort LighthouseLighthouse · Built 18031.1 miBChamberlin HotelLate 19th and 20th Century Revivals1.2 mi★Fort MonroeFortress1.2 miBChapel of the CenturionCarpenter Gothic · Built 18561.3 miBQuarters 1Federal1.3 mi

Memories of Fort Wool

The record says what it is. Neighbors know what it means.

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Have an old photo of it?Add it · +10

Questions about Fort Wool

Is Fort Wool on the National Register of Historic Places?

Yes. It was added on Nov 25, 1969 (Register number 69000339).

Is Fort Wool a National Historic Landmark?

No. It is on the National Register; Virginia has 125 National Historic Landmarks. The nearest is Fort Monroe, 1.2 miles away.

Can you visit Fort Wool?

Yes: it is open to visitors. Check opening times before you go.

Where can I read the history of Fort Wool?

In its National Register nomination, the form that put it on the Register: a 14 MB PDF at the National Archives, linked on this page.

Sources: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · National Archives catalog record 41681123 · Wikidata. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.