Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island in North Carolina

The Lost Colony of Roanoke was protected by this earthwork fort.







Fort Raleigh is small.








By the 1800s, this unnamed earthen fort was called Fort Raleigh by local farmers and fishermen. When the fort was rebuilt after archaeological exploration in the 1950s, it was restored to its original shape and dimensions, based on what was learned during the excavation.

The walls may be seven

feet tall, surrounded by
a ditch.

The inside of the fort

 A panoramic view of the interior of the fort.

Eric and I spent a lot of time talking about where the colonists built their homes.  Even living in shacks, I don't think 100 people could fit in the fort along with weapons and ammunition and supplies.  We decided that the ammunition, weapons and supplies were kept in the fort and the newcomers built homes close by.  They would gather at there for protection and to fight off an attack.