The Old Fort in Durban was built in 1842 by troops of the 27th regiment, under the command of Captain Thomas Smith. The troops marched into Durban with hopes of showing a British presence, and curbing the intentions of Dutch farmers who wanted to establish a republic in Natal.

The Old Fort was occupied by various detachments and regiments of the British Army, from its date of completion in 1842 until 1897. The Old Fort lay neglected for a long time until it was rescued by Colonel Molyneux. Due to the intense efforts of the Colonel, the Old Fort now displays a beautiful enclosure of trees and flowers, and today is recognized as a national monument. The Old Fort is maintained today by the Durban city council, in a joint effort with the Historical Monuments Commission and the Royal Durban Light Infantry Comrades Association.

The Old Fort houses many memorials and features of historical importance, which are scattered throughout the gardens, all of which are clearly marked by a number of ceramic plaques. The rooms which previously housed the barracks, have been restored, and now serve as homes for old soldiers and their wives. The little chapel, formerly the Magazine where ammunition and explosives were stored, contains many brasses and tablets. Also located in the grounds are a number of tablets which commemorate Dick King's ride to Grahamstown, a general memorial to those who defended the Old Fort 1842; a tablet honouring the Biggar expedition of settlers from Durban who went to the assistance of the Voortrekkers in 1838, and another which marks the unbelievable feat of the boy John Ross who walked to Delagoa Bay and back in 1827 in search of medicines and other supplies for the little settlement at the Bay of Natal.

The Old Fort also features a gun recovered from the wreck of the Grosvenor which went down north of the Umzimvubu River mouth in 1782,as well as a seat made of timber from the frigate Southampton which carried Captain Smith and his troops from England in 1842. The handsome lychgate at the main entrance known as Warrior's Gate, was placed there by the warrant officers and sergeants of the Durban Light Infantry as a tribute to Colonel Molyneux upon his retirement in 1925.