Past Lane Plus is an extension of Past Lane Travels, the #1 history and travel blog in the U.S. I try to make Past Lane Plus posts a “fast read,” with pictures telling the story.
Happy New Year everyone!
Since I’ll be heading to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach next month, I thought I’d post some pictures from The National Historic Landmark of Fort Morgan.
This masonry fort is located on Mobile Point at the western tip of Fort Morgan Peninsula in Alabama.
Fort Morgan’s history actually stretches back to the War of 1812, when the United States needed a new fortification to protect Mobile Bay.
Named Fort Bowyer at that time, the fort was called into action two times to defend against British invasions.
History of the Fort
Construction on a new fort began in 1819, however due to its isolation on the tip of Mobile Point, it took 15 years to complete!
It’s hard to imagine—especially since it was the early 1800s—but more than 30 million bricks were manufactured to build Fort Morgan. The bricks and mortar were the only materials that could be obtained locally.
All of the other construction materials had to be shipped from New York.
Fort Morgan During The Civil War
On January 4, 1861, Fort Morgan was seized by troops of the State of Alabama, and served as the first line of defense for the city of Mobile.
On the morning of August 5, 1864, Union naval forces successfully fought their way past the Fort Morgan, and began siege operations on the fort and its occupants.
In the battle, the occupants of Fort Morgan fired almost 500 rounds. The barrage badly damaged some of the Union ships but failed to sink them.
On August 22, the Union forces began an intense artillery bombardment that is considered one of the heaviest on a single fort recorded during the Civil War.
The severe shelling caused the 581 Confederates in the fort to surrender.
After The Civil War
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began constructing a new fortification system at Fort Morgan in 1895, and replaced the old brick fort with reinforced concrete batteries.
Between 1900 and 1923, Fort Morgan became the largest permanent military base in Alabama with a garrison of more than 400 Coast Artillery soldiers.
During WWI, 2,000 troops were stationed at the fort, with many of these men getting trained on the newest artillery weapons.
It was not until July 1944, that Fort Morgan was abandoned as a defense.
Fort Morgan Today
The Fort Morgan Historic Site has a museum and a beach, so plan to spend the day!
It is located 22 miles west of Gulf Shores AL at 110 Hwy. 180.
Don’t miss next week, when we tour the inside of the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, NY. This beautiful Gilded Age mansion is unlike anything I’ve ever seen!
Going to an Alabama Beach? Book a Dolphin and Nature Sunset Cruise.