Fort Pulaski National Monument

Fort Pulaski National Monument is just outside of Savannah, GA and was once considered nearly impenetrable, a masterpiece of early American coastal defense.

Construction of Fort Pulaski began in 1829 as part of the United States Third System of fortifications, designed to protect the nation’s coastline following the War of 1812. It was named after Casimir Pulaski, a Polish nobleman who became a hero of the American Revolution. After years of work, the fort was completed in 1847, standing as a symbol of military strength at the mouth of the Savannah River.

But history had other plans for this “impregnable” fortress. During the Civil War, Confederate forces occupied Fort Pulaski early in the conflict. In April of 1862, Union troops positioned new rifled cannons on nearby Tybee Island and began a sustained bombardment. In just 30 hours, these advanced weapons breached the thick masonry walls, something that had never been thought possible. The fall of Fort Pulaski marked a turning point in military history, signaling the end of traditional brick fortifications and the beginning of a new era in warfare.

After its surrender, the fort was used by Union forces, at times serving as a prison. In 1924, it was designated a national monument by Calvin Coolidge.

Walking through the fort, you can still see the scars in the brick walls where the cannon fire struck. The moat, the drawbridge, the arched entrance, all remain as reminders of the ingenuity and the limitations of time. This is a place where engineering, history and human determination all meet.