Discovering the Fort Fisher Hermit: A Journey into History
In the summer of 2011, I found myself flipping through a well-worn copy of 100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina. I had checked off most of the hikes within a two-hour drive from home, and my curiosity pulled me east, towards the coast. So, I hopped into my old ’85 Thunderbird and headed for Wilmington, aiming to explore the Basin Trail at Fort Fisher. What I expected was a serene coastal hike. What I discovered was a story that would leave an indelible mark on the way I view the trails I walk. Listen to the Podcast episode about Fort Fisher and the legend of the Hermit here.
The Basin Trail: Where Nature Meets History
Fort Fisher, located just past Carolina Beach, is steeped in history. During the Civil War, it served as an earthwork fort, primarily composed of dirt and sand, guarding the supply lines of the Confederacy. Its fall on January 15, 1865, in a massive amphibious assault, marked a critical blow to the Southern war effort. Today, much of the original fort has eroded, but a portion remains as a historical site.
The Basin Trail begins near the parking lot by the remaining fortifications. The 2.2-mile path runs along the beach before veering into a coastal forest and then opening into marshland. Boardwalks guide hikers across dunes, leading to the mouth of the Cape Fear River. It’s a peaceful, flat trail, offering a mix of natural beauty and glimpses into the past.
An Unexpected Encounter: The WWII Bunker
Somewhere along the trail—I can’t recall if it was before or after the first boardwalk—I turned a corner and found myself staring at a concrete bunker. It was a simple, weathered structure, about 12×12 feet and seven feet tall, with a single door. Inside, it was dark and empty, with a dirt floor and no windows. A small sign outside caught my attention, revealing that this unassuming bunker was once home to a man known as the Fort Fisher Hermit.
The Life of Robert Harrill: The Fort Fisher Hermit
Robert Harrill was born on February 2, 1893, in Shelby, North Carolina. His early years were marked by hardship, including abusive parents, which led him to spend much of his youth in the woods. He attended Boiling Springs High School and Gardner-Webb Junior College. In 1913, he married Katie Hamrick, and together they had five children. However, by the 1930s, his life began to unravel. Struggles with mental health, the death of his eldest son, and the dissolution of his family left Harrill institutionalized in Morganton, NC.
In 1955, at the age of 62, Harrill walked away from that life. Hitchhiking 260 miles to the coast, he eventually settled in the WWII bunker near Fort Fisher, where he lived for 17 years. He built a life of simplicity, foraging for clams, oysters, and fish, and cultivating a small garden. Over time, he became a local legend, drawing visitors who were eager to hear his philosophy, which he called the “School of Common Sense.”
The Philosopher of the Bunker
Harrill’s makeshift home became the second most-visited tourist attraction in North Carolina, after the USS North Carolina. Journalists and tourists alike flocked to hear him speak about life, often quoting him in their stories. Harrill explained his popularity in 1968, saying:
“Everybody ought to be a hermit for a few minutes to an hour or so every 24 hours, to study, meditate, and commune with their creator … millions of people want to do just what I’m doing, but since it is much easier thought of than done, they subconsciously elect me to represent them.”
Despite his fame, Harrill faced adversity. He was robbed and kidnapped on one occasion and arrested for vagrancy after falling asleep on the beach. Still, he remained steadfast, embodying the resilience of a man at peace with his chosen path.
A Mysterious End
On June 4, 1972, Harrill was found dead outside his bunker. Though the coroner declared the cause of death a heart attack, rumors of foul play lingered. Witnesses reported seeing a group of men fleeing the area, and no autopsy was performed at the time. In 1984, Harrill’s body was exhumed for further examination, but the results were inconclusive.
Legacy of the Hermit
Harrill’s story lives on through documentaries, books, and even theater productions. The Fort Fisher Hermit: The Life and Death of Robert E. Harrill, a 2007 documentary, captures the essence of his life through interviews and archival footage. A book co-authored by Fred Pickler and a sold-out play at the Cape Fear Playhouse in 2014 further cemented his place in local lore.
A Personal Reflection
When I first stumbled upon the bunker, I was intrigued by its history. But it wasn’t until my second visit that the weight of Harrill’s story truly hit me. This time, I wasn’t alone. An older couple stood by the bunker, peering inside. As I walked past, I overheard the woman say, “It doesn’t smell like him anymore.”
Those six words sent a chill down my spine. They transformed the bunker from a historical curiosity into something deeply human. It wasn’t just a shelter—it was a home, a sanctuary, and a stage for a man who left an indelible mark on those who met him.
That moment changed the way I see trails and the remnants of human activity along them. Every artifact, every marker, carries with it the weight of a life lived. Harrill’s story reminded me that history isn’t just dates and events—it’s people, their struggles, their philosophies, and the way their lives ripple through time.
Conclusion
If you ever find yourself near Fort Fisher, take a walk down the Basin Trail. Visit the bunker. Read the sign. Stand in the place where Robert Harrill lived and let his story sink in. You might find yourself, as I did, wondering what it means to truly live simply, to connect with nature, and to leave a legacy in the hearts of strangers.
North Carolina stories
Some other tales of North Carolina wonders include Blowing Rock, Oconeechee Mountain and Morrow Mountain.
