Fort Pulaski National Monument - Savannah, Georgia

Address:Hwy 80 East
Savannah, Georgia
Tel: (912) 786-5787

Back-country Georgia is filled with hiking trails, squirrels, and civil war-era defense structures. The Fort Pulaski National Monument is the location where the Union Army and Confederate troops first successfully tested a rifled cannon in 1862. Today, visitors to the Fort Pulaski National Monument can learn about the significance of the site through ranger- and self-guided tours, as well as enjoy the beautiful scenery and a variety of outdoor activities.

In the aftermath of the War of 1812, President James Madison ordered a new system of coastal forts be built to protect against foreign invasion. The construction of Fort Pulaski, intended to protect Savannah, began in 1829. Completed in 1847, Fort Pulaski was captured early in the Civil War by the Confederates. In April 1862, Union forces laid siege to Fort Pulaski and, using a rifled cannon, which could fire farther than a smoothbore cannon, defeated the fort in 30 hours. Following its capture by the Union, Fort Pulaski served as a military and political prison. After the Civil War, Fort Pulaski fell into disuse until the Fort Pulaski National Monument was established in 1924.

45-minute ranger-guided tours of the Fort Pulaski National Monument cover the construction and engineering of the fort, Civil War technology, the 1862 siege, and more. The visitor center at the monument contains exhibits of the historic battle, including a full-scale replica of a 13-inch Seacoast Mortar and the 17-minute film, The Battle for Fort Pulaski. Walking trails include the North Pier Trail, a one-quarter-mile trail through a scenic wooded environment and remnants of Fort Pulaski's original construction village, and the Historic Dike System, a two-mile trail circling Fort Pulaski with exquisite views of nearby Cockspur Island and Savannah River. After their experience at the Fort Pulaski National Monument, visitors can find plenty of restaurants in nearby Savannah, ranging from seafood to fast food.

To get to the Fort Pulaski National Monument, take I-95 to I-16, then follow I-16 east to US Highway 80 East, then follow the signs for Fort Pulaski. Visit the Fort Pulaski National Monument and commemorate the advance of military technology in the fight for American reunification.