Fort Sumter is where the Civil War actually began. However, the original brick structure crumbled, so only parts of it remain intact. Several years ago, a battery was built in the center of the fort. In the battery now is a gift shop with souvenirs and informational books and videos about Fort Sumter, as well as a museum and restrooms.

In the museum is the original flag flown over Fort Sumter, as well as displays of how the Fort looked during the Civil War. Several artifacts were also displayed.

Around the grounds of Fort Sumter, cannons and other large artillery are on display. The fort also allows a beautiful view of part of Charleston. (While we were there, my daughters loved seeing all the dolphins that surrounded the fort.)

If you have any appreciation for history whatsoever, definitely stop at Fort Sumter. Even though most of the original structure no longer exists, it's still a neat experience to be at a place that holds such an important part of our country's history.

Confederate forces occupied the fort until 1865, successfully defying the Union's blockade and foiling Federal attempts to capture Charleston. Charleston remained a major port for the Confederacy throughout the Civil War because of the defence at Fort Sumter.

The fort still contains a few large cannons, and projectiles fired during the Civil War are still embedded in Fort Sumter's thick walls.

Park rangers give historical talks and answer questions after the visitors to the fort disembark from the ferry. Much of what the ranger said during the talks were the facts you learn in high school history classes. Nonetheless, many of the tourists who had taken the ferry acted like they were hearing this information for the first time. The ranger was also amazingly patient and composed when one tourist asked about the "Star-Spangled Banner." "No sir, that song was not written here. The battle you are thinking of happened during the War of 1812 at Fort McHenry in Baltimore," the ranger explained.

On the ferry ride back to Charleston, my mother spotted fins surfacing in the water next to us. Sure enough, these dolphins came to put on a show for the returning tourists.

Anyone interested in the Civil War needs to visit the spot where it all began. I appreciated being able to stand in the place that I had studied so many times in history classes.

When the civil war ended Fort Sumter presented a very desolate appearance. The Army attempted to repair the walls. But it really wasn't used as a military institution.

It was used during WWI and WWII. In 1948 it was taken over by the Park Service and became a national monument.

Fort Sumpter is built on a manmade island. A video in the museum demonstrates the process used in 1829 to build up the land over a shallow shoal. Named after South Carolina Revolutionary War hero Thomas Sumpter, the fort was not even completed in 1860 when Major Robert Anderson moved 85 men here to defend the harbor, hoping to prevent a confederate takeover of Charleston,Harbor. I understand that the fort was three times it's current height,and that the height was reduced by bombardment.

Visiting Fort Sumpter is a worthwhile experience, one which every American should consider. The first shots of the Civil War were fired here, and not far away,just outside Sumpter, South Carolina, on Highway 521, is a small marker and a couple of cannons. This is where the final shots of the Civil War were fired, hours after Lee had surrendered at Appomattax Courthouse.

Visit Fort Sumpter, you won't regret it.