Fort Pulaski National Monument

Fort Pulaski National Monument occupies an important place in the history of Savannah because this is the site where a rifled cannon was first tested successfully by the Union Army in 1862 during the Civil War. As a result of this test the brick fortifications of the fort became obsolete.

In later days the fort was also converted into a Prisoner-of-war camp. Most parts of the Cockspur Island is home to the National Monument in modern times. While using Savannah travel packages ensure that the fort is included in the package.

In the post war era a new fort was constructed in 1829 to protect Savannah, particularly the port of Savannah and this fort was named after Kazimierz Pulaski, a Polish soldier as well as military commander who was under the command of George Washington during the American Revolution.

Fort Pulaski involved extensive work considering the limited technology available in the 18th century. As much as 25,000,000 bricks were employed in the construction of the fort and wooden pilings going 70 feet into the mud were erected to support the bricks. The process of constructing the fort consumed 18 years and it was in 1847 that the fort was finally ready. The cost involved was $1,000,000 which was a princely sum in those times.

Wiki resources for the fort

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Pulaski_National_Monument

Official web site of the fort

http://www.nps.gov/fopu/index.htm

Making the fort even more exceptional was the 11 feet thick walls which were reckoned as impenetrable. The assumption came from the fact that the cannons employed those days had a maximum range of half a mile and the land closest to the fort was Tybee Island which was well beyond the half mile range.

With years rolling by, the fort started losing its strength and fell into disrepair. Seized of the situation, the war department declared the fort as a National Monument in 1924. Subsequently, the monument was transferred to the National Park Service.

Visiting this historic fort during your Savannah travel will enhance your experience and knowledge of Savannah’s history. Definitely make sure that your seasons travel savannah ga include it.

Visitor information for the fort

http://www.nps.gov/fopu/planyourvisit/index.htm

Kids at Fort Pulaski

http://www.nps.gov/fopu/forkids/index.htm