Virginia's Abandoned Military Base Boasts America's Largest Stone Fort Locals Say Is Haunted

Typically, planning an East Coast beach vacation means traveling to well-known coastal regions like Cape Cod or the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The latter is an American destination offering a fun summer getaway and miles of beaches. However, what if you could be on a peninsula with sandy beaches that's also chock-full of American history? Well, for that, you'd need to head to Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia.

As the largest stone fort in America, Fort Monroe is already impressive, especially given its unique architecture and the fact that it's surrounded by a moat. But if you're into spooky adventures, many locals say the area is haunted by former presidents and Civil War-era ghosts. The fort was decommissioned in 2011.

But even without the thrill of visiting a haunted military site, Fort Monroe is a worthy travel destination. History buffs will appreciate learning about the area's more than 400-year history, while beach lovers will like the shoreline and the views of Chesapeake Bay. So, let's get in formation and explore Fort Monroe, Virginia.

Although the fort you can tour today was built in the 1800s, the site's history actually dates back more than four centuries. An English settler named John Smith surveyed the area in 1608, and by 1609, a wooden base was erected, which the colonists dubbed Fort Algernourne. This particular spot was chosen because it offered ideal protection of the waterways, which is why it was used as a military base for centuries. In fact, the stone fort's construction was a direct response to the British Army invading through these waterways during the War of 1812. It took 15 years to build and was completed in 1834. It was named after President James Monroe.

But what about its haunted status? Well, many reported apparitions are associated with the Civil War era. Interestingly enough, while the fort is part of Virginia, which seceded from the Union, the fort itself remained under Northern control for the entire conflict. Afterward, it housed Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, as a prisoner. Further adding to Fort Monroe's spooky pedigree, famed author Edgar Allan Poe was stationed here from December 1828 to April 1829, before the fort was even finished.

If you really want to explore the fort's ghost stories, you can book a spot on the annual Ghost Walk, which happens in mid-October. Reported apparitions include a lady in white, a precocious child, and even the spirit of Jefferson Davis, who used to walk the ramparts during his imprisonment.

To reach Fort Monroe, you can choose between the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport and the Norfolk International Airport, both of which are roughly a half-hour drive northwest and southeast of the fort, respectively, depending on traffic. But one of the advantages of flying into Newport News is that you're close to one of Virginia's must-see destinations for your first visit: Colonial Williamsburg. So, it would be easier to add both stops to your journey. There are numerous hotels in the city of Hampton, so you have options when booking a room.

Whether you're interested in hearing ghost stories or not, touring the fort offers an impressive glimpse into American military history. You can either explore the site by yourself or take a guided tour if you prefer to learn about its more than 400 years of history. And it's more than just stone structures here; there are also live oak trees that date back centuries, with the oldest being about 500 years old. Also, while you may not immediately think of beach time when visiting a historical site, the fact is that Fort Monroe has public beaches, which are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Even better, Outlook Beach offers a less crowded option along Virginia's coast.

Speaking of tourist destinations, once you've finished exploring Fort Monroe, you can take advantage of its location and visit other cities in the region. For example, there's Cape Charles, a gorgeous coastal town that's perfect for a quiet getaway, which is about an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half northeast of the fort by car, depending on traffic.