Famous Forts near Savannah

From the beginning Savannah has been fortified to protect its inhabitants and its strategic port. In the early years the whole city was walled against the Spanish. Later artillery fortification protected Savannah from the British and the Northerners. Today the forts stand as fascinating memorials to U.S. History.

FORT JACKSON: Three miles from downtown Savannah is the oldest remaining brickwork fort in Savannah. It was constructed from 1809 to 1842 and saw service in the War of 1812 and the War Between the States. It is situated on the south bank of the Savannah River occupying a site fortified since colonial days guarding Five Fathom Hole, the 18^th century deepwater port in the Savannah River. The fort has numerous displays and artifacts. Seasonal demonstrations and exhibits depict camp life, woodworking and weaponry. Scuttled Rebel ironclad CSS Georgia lies off the fort’s north face. The fort is open from 9AM to 5PM daily. Located at 1 Fort Jackson Road (912) 232-3945

FORT McALLISTER: It is coastal Georgia life at its finest. The broad, winding Ogeechee River wraps around narrow islets of land jutting off randomly from either bank. This is Fort McAllister, on a peninsula of land known as Genesis Point.

The flat, coastal plain on which Fort McAllister lies is a haven for wildlife. Pelican, seagulls and terns, the land is rich with waterfowl. The land is sandy with occasional patches of thick black loam woven throughout the sand.

At the entrance a Civil War era cannon greets the guests, a fitting welcome for the centerpiece of this state park is the fort. Inside the visitors’ center is a small museum, gift shop, and a 17 minute video about the naval and land attacks on the fort. Pay a small admission and you are welcome to walk to the fort, a short hike along a broad, flat plain that was probably constructed as a road.

Along the side of this road, the remains of the CSS Nashville, which also served duty as a blockade runner and privateer. This boat sank on February 28, 1863, during one of the 8 naval battles which occurred here on the Ogeechee River. The rusted parts of this steamship lie to the right of the path, with an interpretive marker nearby.

The fort is surrounded by pickets, foreboding pieces of pointed wood leaning out at an angle. Follow the path around to the entrance and you are walking along a parapet with the river on one side and formidable cannon on the other. The path has informative signs along the way, with information about both the sea and land battles and life in the fort.

At the center of the fort is a bombproof, a sand and mud covered living quarters for the troops. Deep within the mound were the barracks for the men stationed at the low-tech fort. You may enter the mound and walk through, an exceptionally interesting part of the tour. Unlike its neighbor, Fort Pulaski, Fort McAllister was built with earthen walls, yet it withstood repeated Federal bombardments.

In addition to the museum, fort, and the hike involved in visiting the fort, there is a 3.1 mile trail through a typical low-land marsh. The culmination of this trek is a viewing tower over a small creek that runs near the park. If you are intending to hike this trail, bring repellant. There is a nature trail in the campground. A fishing pier offers excellent opportunities to watch the abundant wildlife and to fish if you desire.

Lodging

The park is a combination historic site/camping area, containing 65 campsites with water and electricity. There is an on-site dump station. Richmond Hill has lodging, restaurants, full grocery stores, a modest downtown shopping area and history museum. Open 9AM to 5PM daily (912-727-2339). The fort is located just east of Richmond Hill and follow these directions: Take I-95 to Georgia exit 90 (south of Savannah). Go east through Richmond Hill, for just over 6 miles. Turn left at the state park sign onto Fort McAllister Rd. The park is ahead 4 miles.