Fort Pulaski National Monument

Introduction

Fort Pulaski National Monument sits on Cockspur Island at the mouth of the Savannah River in Georgia, stands as one of the most pivotal military fortresses of the American Civil War. Built between 1847 and 1862, this masonry fort features a unique truncated arch design with walls 2.4 meters thick, designed to guard the entrance to Savannah harbor. In April 1862, Union forces used new rifled Parrott cannons to bombard the fort from beyond its design range, forcing surrender in just 30 hours. This battle shocked the world and heralded the end of the masonry fort era. Today, visitors walk a 500-meter bridge to the island, exploring the interior magazines, barracks, and gun emplacements, touching bullet-scarred walls that tell the story of a conflict that changed American history. The surrounding salt marsh wetlands host abundant birdlife and dolphins, weaving nature and history into a unique visitor experience.

✨ Highlights

🛈 Practical Info