Fort Wool
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Fort Wool (originally named Fort Calhoun) was the companion to Fort Monroe in protecting Hampton Roads. Originally conceived in 1817, Fort Calhoun was built on a 15 acre (61,000 m²) artificial island southeast of Old Point Comfort in Hampton, Virginia. Construction and repairs continued for decades, because the foundation was unstable. The first level of casemates was finished in 1830. Construction continued through the 1830's, when Andrew Jackson came to escape from the heat of Washington, D.C.
The Fort played a crucial role for the Union forces during the American Civil War, and it was renamed in honor of Union Major General John Wool.
The Fort was modernized in the early 20th century, and served as the part of the harbor's defense during World War I and World War II. The outmoded fort was finally abandoned by the military. After being decommissioned it was given to the state in 1967 and in 1970 the City of Hampton developed it into a park.
The Fort Wool ferry, Miss Hampton II, allows tourists to visit the island during most of the year. But it can also be briefly glimpsed by cars entering the southern end of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel on Interstate 64. The island continues to settle to this very day, and occasionally the casemates of the original fortress are put off-limits for safety reasons. but it remains a major draw for tourists. During the summer months, it is served by various harbor tour boats.
Note: Fort Wool is located adjacent to one of the man-made islands of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and is accessible only by water. The availability of public tours of both Fort Wool and Fort Monroe are subject to Homeland Security Alert conditions.