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| Fort Fisher | |
|---|---|
| New Hanover County, near Wilmington, North Carolina | |
 Union Attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina, January 15, 1865 | |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1861 |
| In use | 1861–1865 |
| Battles/wars | First Battle of Fort Fisher Second Battle of Fort Fisher |
| Events | |
Fort Fisher | |
  Location in North Carolina  Location in United States | |
| Nearest city | Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Area | 200 acres (81 ha) |
| Built | 1861 |
| Architect | Lamb, Col. William |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000595[1] |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865. The fort was located on one of Cape Fear River's two outlets to the Atlantic Ocean on what was then known as Federal Point or Confederate Point and today is known as Pleasure Island. The strength of Fort Fisher led to its being called the Southern Gibraltar and the "Malakoff Tower of the South". The battle of Fort Fisher was the most decisive battle of the Civil War fought in North Carolina.