Caswell Rifle Range

Fort Caswell Rifle Range is a historic shooting facility with significant World War I heritage located in Brunswick County, North Carolina. Originally constructed in 1918, this rifle range served as a critical military training facility during the Great War and remains an important historical monument today.

Designated as an official World War I Centennial Memorial in 2018, Fort Caswell Rifle Range is one of only 100 such memorials recognized nationally. The site honors the 23 Brunswick County men who gave their lives during WWI, along with the nurses who served at the facility during the war.

The rifle range represents a preserved example of early 20th-century military infrastructure. Following its restoration by the Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range organization, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its protection and preservation for future generations.

Beyond its operational purpose, Fort Caswell Rifle Range serves as:

• •A historical education center documenting WWI service and sacrifice
• •A memorial to Brunswick County veterans
• •A venue for commemoration ceremonies and veteran recognition events
• •A research resource with documented veteran profiles and service records

The range has hosted significant ceremonies including the Purple Heart presentation to the family of Private Robert Bollie Stanley, a Shallotte WWI veteran and the only known prisoner of war from Brunswick County. The site was also featured in the publication 100 Cities 100 Memorials: Restoration, Recognition & Remembrance, which documents all official national WWI memorials.

The restoration and preservation efforts have been supported by dedicated community members including historians, genealogy enthusiasts, local officials, and professional organizations, reflecting the broad commitment to honoring this important historical site.