For 17 years, Robert Harrill lived on the contributions from thousands of visitors and his death is till a mystery.
Common Sense Films of Wilmington, NC, has made a documentary film about his life called, "The Fort Fisher Hermit: The Life and Death of Robert Harrill" and has been nominated for a historical documentary.
Harrill first came to Fort Fisher in 1955, and by the late 60s, was North Carolina's second most popular tourist attraction.
One hundred thousand people visited him and were introduced to his School of Common Sense. He lived in an abandoned World War II Army ammunition bunker.
The documentary is narrated by Barry Corbin and premiered last year on UNC-TV and the NC PBS network.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher has developed a program called "The Fort Fisher hermit's School of Common Sense" environmental education program. Those attending will watch the film, then given fishing gear to try their hand at living like a hermit,
There is a walking tour including a stop at the Hermit Bunker where two large information markers have recently been erected detailing Harrill's life.
http://hiddenmystery.blogspot.com
I was fortunate to have met the Fort Fisher Hermit several times as a kid.
Perhaps the Hermit Was Right. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
