Past Lane Plus is an extension of the history/travel blog Past Lane Travels.
I stumbled across historic Fort Macon during a trip to the beach a few years ago on Bogue Island, which is part of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast.
Fort Macon’s original purpose was to guard the eastern North Carolina coastline, specifically to protect Beaufort Inlet and Beaufort Harbor. It’s now a beautiful state park.
Fort Macon was constructed between 1826 and 1834 to guard against an invasion from England or Spain, both of whom had invaded the port in the eighteenth century.
An invasion from a foreign country never came but the fort was used during the War Between the States, the Spanish American War, and World War II.
It also served as a military prison from 1862-1877.
Fort Macon is five-sided and made up of 2,379,546 bricks – more than any other U.S. fort.
Twenty-six vaulted rooms (or casemates) are enclosed by outer walls that are 4.5 feet thick.
Other features of the fort include powder magazines, counterfire rooms with cannon emplacements, and a wide moat, which served to protect the fort when flooded with waters from Bogue Sound.
An inner court or parade ground at Fort Macon is now the scene of historic reenactments during special events.
What Can You Do At Fort Macon State Park
You can explore the restored pre-Civil War fort and take part in their daily guided tours, as well as witness the fort’s cannon and musket demonstrations.
There is a beach adjacent to the fort that is perfect for swimming, beachcombing, or even spotting a dolphin or two.
As you walk along the beach you may see one of the 302 different species of birds found in the park or experience the thrill of watching dolphins playing in the ocean.
As a side note, I also discovered an old tree on my trip to the Crystal Coast. This tree would have witnessed the Civil War action that took place near Fort Macon.