Constructed between 1890-1891, the fort was built with a disappearing gun emplacement. The fort was dug-out of the hill using face brick walls and then earth was placed over the tunnels. The fort was intended to supersede a battery of 68 pounders to provide a deterrent to a possible Russian attack upon Wollongong Harbour. The gun was commissioned and first fired in 1892. The gun emplacement was provided with two range finder positions. The Wollongong Head Lighthouse was constructed near the fort in 1938.