Description

Historic Fort Huger extends approximately 1,130 feet along the James River and spans 22 acres. It is a well-preserved abandoned Civil War Fort in Isle of Wight County, situated on a strategic bluff on the south side of the James River. This historic gem is dominated by hardwood forests with a bridge crossing a cypress swamp. The fort itself offers open grassy areas. A variety of songbirds breed at this site including summer tanager, yellow-throated and prothonotary warblers and blue-gray gnatcatchers. Through the trees you can glimpse the James River where wintering waterfowl can gather in abundance. Osprey, terns and gulls circle overhead.

The site’s historic features include a Civil War encampment located outside the fort and a self-guided walking trail along the original 1861 pathway and fort interior. Interpretive signage describes the fort’s historical significance: its strategic role in naval warfare during 1861-62, its construction by free blacks and slaves and a view of the modern day James River Reserve Fleet.

Directions

Physical Address: 15080 Talcott Terrace, Smithfield, VA, 23430

From the Previous Site on the Tidewater Loop of VBWT:

From Fort Boykin Historic Park, return to SR 10 Business-West/Old Stage Hwy. and turn right. Follow SR 10 Business for 3.6 miles and turn right onto Rt. 676/Fort Huger Drive. Follow Rt. 676 for 0.75 miles and bear right onto Rt. 686/Tylers Beach Road. After 0.8 miles turn left onto Rt. 2001/Woodmere Avenue. After 0.3 miles turn left onto Lawne’s Neck Road. Travel for 1.4 miles and turn right onto Talcott Terrace. The parking lot will be immediately on the right.