Fort Moultrie

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DESTINATION AWAITS:
 A few weeks ago I went to Sullivan's Island not just for the beautiful sunset but to find out if Edgar Allen Poe really was stationed there. ANSWER: yes but I was disappointed that he didn't have a bigger presence there. Fort Moultrie is one of the oldest forts in US history.




ADDRESS:
1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC




JUST THE FACTS (BRIEF HISTORY):
*First fort was constructed of Palmetto logs and sand. It had the effect of cannons and bullets bouncing off of the walls At this time it was known as Fort Sullivan. It was built to protect the Charleston Harbor.
*First British attacked was June 28, 1776 before the fort was completed. Battle last 9 hours before the British retreated
*Fort was named for the colonial who saved Charleston. He is buried across the street from the fort.
*After war it neglected but in 1791 congress authorized 1st nationwide coastal fortification. This included 22 forts along the Atlantic Coast
*Again it fell under disrepair and destroyed by hurricane in 1804.
*By 1809 a new brick fort was built
*In 1828 Edgar Allen Poe was stationed at the fort
*In the 1830's was a Seminole Indian prison. Chief Osceola was imprison and is buried at the front entrance. He died 1838
*1860 South Carolina seceded from the union and Fort Moultrie was abandoned
*1870 Fort was modernized with better weapons and became active again  (due to the destroying of Fort Sumter.
*1885 was modernized again 
*1960 the fort was transferred to the National Parks Service



TIPS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING:
* This is a National Park Service location, so if you have your park pass show it. This is also the place to get your information on Charles Pinckney Historic Site. (Will up date with link when I have a post on that site)
*The fort shows all the changes from 1809 to 1947.
*the visitor center is across the street from the fort and there is a movie that gives you all the details.



WHAT TO DO THERE:
*see the movie
* go through the fort and read all the signs
* take a walk outside the fort that will take you to the bunkers (1870's) and other canons.
*go to the public library on the Island it is a repurposed bunker at 1921 Ion Ave.
* take a walk through the parking lot to see Colonial Moultrie's grave site
* walk the beach and stay for the beautiful sunset over Charleston Harbor. 

 

See you at the next bend in the road,

Kelli 

PS can’t leave without the sunset picture



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