If It's Halloween, It Must Be Fort Fisher

From the Encore Online. Wilmington's Alternative Newspaper.

A "Spooktacular" planned at the old fort by the Fort Fisher State Recreation Team this Saturday, Oct. 21st. Include will be true ghost stories, gory games, hayrides, trick-or-treating and lots of other activities.

For those of you wanting a little more scare for your buck, there is the hour-long 3rd Annual Ghost Walk along trails normally closed to the public.

One ghost often seen is a Confederate guard.

A ranger at the park was locking up when she had a strange sensation that she was being watched. When getting into her car, she saw a "man in blue pants" walking toward her. He disappeared when she shone her flashlight his way.

Also, there is the famous Fort Fisher Hermit who occupied a World War II bunker for many years until he turned up mysteriously murdered in 1972.

Too Spooky for Me. --Old B-Runner

The Fort Fisher Hermit Was Asked to Move

From the September 29th Wilmington Star-News Back Then column.

From the September 22, 1960, Wilmington Star-News. Robert Harrill was told to move from the marsh side of Fort Fisher because no one is permitted to live in the Sunny Point Ammunition Terminal Safety Zone (Blast Zone).

The land he was living on was leased by the federal government to the North Carolina Department of Archives and History for the Fort Fisher Historic Site.

Harrill had been living in a World War II pillbox for six years and gave no indication that he was willing to move. But, he claimed he was actually living in a car.

Harrill continued living in the pillbox until he was found mysteriously murdered in 1972. He is buried at Federal Point Methodist Church off Dow Road at Carolina Beach.

Quite a Character, That Hermit. --Old B-Runner

Hotz and the Hermit

Amy Hotz's December 28th column in the Wilmington (NC) Star-News "A Hermit's Walk at Fort Fisher."

This last Sunday, Star-News reporter Amy Hotz decided to take a walk. She said she decided against Carolina Beach State Park because a police investigation was going on involving a death that took place there recently. So, she drove a bit farther to the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area where she is still upset that people now have to drive on the beach.

So, she walked the Basin Trail. After eight-tenths of a mile she reached the World War II bunker that used to house the Fort Fisher Hermit, Robert E. Harrill.

She looked into the bunker and remembered a story told by her dad. One winter day he had taken Harrill for a ride to the Hardee's and bought him a meal. They had a normal, polite conversation during the meal. However, her dad emphasized that he had to roll the windows down despite the cold because of the Hermit's bad smell.

I remember my Dad taking my brother and me to see the Hermit several times. That old guy really scared me, but his stories were interesting. Plus, he always had something sitting out to collect donations which he often checked.

Quite a Character, That Old Man. --Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher Hermit

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 Fort Fisher Hermit

For years, any trip to Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher was not complete without a stop for my family to visit with Robert Harrill, the Fort Fisher Hermit. To tell the truth, I was a bit afraid of him. He was like none of the other adults I knew.

For awhile, he was one of NC's top attractions and I'm glad to see that he is not forgotten.

"The Fort Fisher Hermit: The Life and Death of Robert E. Harrill" received a nomination back in January from the Nashville/Mid South Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the Nov. 16th presentation at BMI's Nashville headquarters.

It was made by Common Sense Films based in Wilmington, NC, and received a nomination for historical documentary.

Barry Corbin narrates it. The hour-long show premiered on UNC Public TV and will be nationally distributed in April 2008.

For 17 years Harrill lived in a World War II bombproof at Fort Fisher.

Some Hermit Sites:
www.thefortfisherhermit.com
http://thefortfisherhermit.blogspot.com
www.theappropriategenius.com

A Unique and Unforgettable Character. --Old B-R'er

Is Fort Fisher, NC, Haunted?

In keeping with this scary season, the Carolina Beach Today blog wanted to know if the fort was actually haunted. After all, a big battle took place here with lots of deaths. Prime haunting grounds if you ask me.

The conclusion is that it might very well be.

First you have the still unanswered death of Robert Harrill, the famed Fort Fisher Hermit. Was it murder? Good haunting here.

Some also believe that the ghost of Confederate General W.H.C. Whiting can be seen wandering the remaining traverses and grounds. He later died of wounds received at the fort's defense. Perhaps still accusing Bragg of lack of action.

There are also those who say they've seen Confederate soldiers standing among the trees to the north of the fort.

The Haunted North Carolina Paranormal Research and Investigations have conducted a four hour investigation and believe the fort is haunted. They took photos and movies at the site.

You can see the photos and movies at http://www.carolinabeachtoday.com October 26th entry.

Strange Things Happen This Time of Year. Like, BOOO!!! --Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher Hermit Society

If you want to join this group which honors the Fort Fisher Hermit, you can for a small donation. This goes to a $5000 fund dedicated to the apprehension of Harriman's killers. They have a publication called "A Hermit's Guide to Health and Happiness." Since the organization was set up in 1993, over 600 members have joined.

Write to:
The Hermit Society
201 Harbour City Parkway
D-131
Indian Harbour Beach, Florida 32937

Blogger Talking About the Fort Fisher Hermit

Tyler Miller wrote in his blog that he had moved back to Wilmington when he was ten and remembers his parents taking him down to Fort Fisher,

"One of the coolest places we would go to visit was the old Civil War battlefield at Fort Fisher." He then went on to talk about the trails and of meeting the Fort Fisher hermit and talked about him and his lifestyle. He included a video of Robert Harriman, the Fort Fisher hermit.

http://tylermiller.blogspot.com

I met the Hermit several times as a young kid. Even today, I don't know whether he should have been pitied or if I should be jealous of his life.

An Interesting Character, Indeed. --The Old B-Runner

"I Was Born on Groundhog Day and Have Been Trying to Hibernate Ever Since."-- Robert Harrill, the Fort Fisher Hermit

The February 2nd Wilmington Star News ran an article to observe the Feb. 2, 1893, birthday of Fort Fisher, North Carolina's famous hermit, Robert E. Harrill.

He is buried in the 217 year-old Newton Graveyard, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 because of efforts by the families of many early Wilmington captains and pilots who are buried there. The cemetery is located off River Road. I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in Wilmington.

His granite stone reads "Robert E. Harrill The Fort Fisher Hermit. He Made People Think. Feb. 2, 1893-June 4, 1976." His death is surrounded by a lot of mystery.

He lived for many years in an old WWII bunker at Fort Fisher and had a hard life with a bad marriage and a son who committed suicide. His grave is outlined in shells.

He even has a blog:
http://thefortfisherhermit.blogspot.com

I was fortunate enough to get to see him holding court several times in my youth. I don't ever remember seeing less than eight to twenty people listening to his stories. He was quite the tourist attraction. There was also the ever-present tip collectin box.

"Fort Fisher Hermit not forgotten, buried in 217 year old Newton Graveyard" by Amy Hotz.

Quite the Character. --Blockade-Runner