Tybee Island/Fort Pulaski National Monument

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Cockspur Island, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328(912) 786-5787

Description: Situated between Savannah and Tybee Island, Fort Pulaski is a must-see attraction while in Georgia. Whether you are a history lover or not, this impressive fort is an important part of the American story. The fort was co...Read More

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Tourist Attractions, Sightseeing
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Not Your Average Civil War Fort

by eamar1

St. Louis, Missouri

February 27, 2009

This fort is a must-see for Civil War buffs and fort enthusiasts. How many forts in the United States are surrounded by a moat? Inhabited by alligators no less? A short drive from Savannah, GA and well worth your time.

Fort Pulaski National Monument

by vampirefan

Charlotte, North Carolina

March 27, 2005

Best of IgoUgo About 15 minutes from Savannah on your way to Tybee Island sits Ft. Pulaski. It is located on Cockspur Island, which was once a strategic area near the mouth of the Savannah River. It was built between 1829 and 1847 to defend Savannah from foreign ...Read more About 15 minutes from Savannah on your way to Tybee Island sits Ft. Pulaski. It is located on Cockspur Island, which was once a strategic area near the mouth of the Savannah River. It was built between 1829 and 1847 to defend Savannah from foreign attacks and invasions. Early in the Civil War, Georgian troops seized the fortress.

Between April 11 and 12, 1862, Union (i.e. Yankee) forces deployed artillery onto Tybee Island. Only 30 hours later, the 7.5-foot-thick walls were breached, and Confederate (Southern) forces surrendered.

Today the fort is under the protection of the National Park Service and is open to visitors. From the parking area, you walk to the moat area and enter the fort. You can still see large areas of the fort where it was shot by cannon fire. There are tours around the fort, or you can tour at your leisure. There is not much in the way of any displays. On the lower level, there are a number of rooms open, including soldier barracks, officer rooms, and stables. You can walk around the second level, where a number of cannons can still be found intact. From here, you get an amazing view of the river. Kids of all ages will love this, and what a perfect way to teach your child a history lesson. Some of the rooms are still musty-smelling, in case you’re like me and suffer from allergies. One the grounds, take some time to just sit and reflect on the history of this place for a while. It is a must-stop for the history buff.

The area surrounding the fort is a nature lover’s paradise. They offer bike trials, bird-watching, fishing, and hiking. Wildlife abounds in the trees and marshes surrounding the fort. Visitors may spot white-tailed deer, any number of migrating birds, and maybe even an alligator. Just off the fort sits Cockspur Island, home to the tiny Cockspur Island Lighthouse, which is open to the public, if you can get there. You can go to my Low Country Lighthouses journal for more information.

There is a visitor’s center before you get to the fort. Here they have an interpretive museum and information on the fort and its history. They do have restrooms on the premises. There are picnic areas on the ground. The lower portion of the fort is wheelchair-accessible. Pets are permitted on a leash. They do have an audiocassette on the history of the fort for the handicapped. They offer brochures on the fort in German, Polish, Japanese, French, and Spanish.

This is an absolute must for any visit to Savannah or Tybee Island. Nature lovers and history lovers will be in heaven. Afterwards, make sure to visit the lovely island of Tybee, only 15 minutes away. For more information on the fort, visit www.nps.gov/fopu.

From journal Savannah, a true Southern Belle

Fort Pulaski National Monument

by chadk78

Blacksburg, South Carolina

March 2, 2005

This fort, designed by a young engineer named Robert E. Lee, was said to be impenetrable. However, the Federal army proved that theory wrong when they overtook it in less than a day. The many tunnels inside the fort make it very interesting to ...Read more

From journal The City Too Beautiful to Destroy

A trip to Tybee Island

by brmcga

Sarnia, Ontario

January 31, 2004

This is one of the more interesting forts I've toured over the years. With the interpretive signs and talks, you could almost see the fort in its glory days. If you're into history and the Civil War, this is a must-see. We also threw in a drive to ...Read more

From journal Golf, Gators, and Great Sights in Hilton Head SC

Fort Pulaski National Monument

by Kim M.

Key West, Florida

June 21, 2003

Best of IgoUgo Fort Pulaski was built after the War of 1812 to protect the important port of Savannah from foreign invasion. Enemies from the sea were kept at bay by massive cannons housed within and atop the stalwart fortifications. This hexagonal brick fortress ...Read more

From journal Food, Forts, & Hickory Bombs - 3 Budget Days Near Savannah

Fort Pulaski

by EPearl

Langhorne, Pennsylvania

August 20, 2002

For the historians among you, here is a chance to see another beautifully restored fort! You certainly can get a feel for our national heritage. As we crossed onto the island where the Fort was located, we spotted another lighthouse, which was ...Read more

From journal Georgian Coast

Fort Pulaski National Monument

by willow

Nicholls, Georgia

November 17, 2000

This masonary fort was engineered by a young West Point Graduate by the name of Robert E. Lee. The fort hosts periodic historical encampments and arms demonstrations by local volunteers. For some reason it's always windy at the fort, so bring a ...Read more

From journal Coastal Savannah

Tybee Island/Fort Pulaski National Monument

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Not Your Average Civil War Fort

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Fort Pulaski National Monument

A trip to Tybee Island

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Fort Pulaski

Fort Pulaski National Monument

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