Fort Pulaski National Monument
A moated brick fortress, breached by rifled cannon during the Civil War, a turning point in military history.
Fort Pulaski was built between 1829 and 1847, and the young Robert E. Lee took part in the engineering work on its site. In 1862 Union forces used new rifled cannon to breach the brick walls, long thought impregnable, in just 30 hours. This marked the end of the era of masonry fortresses, and the cannonball scars can still be seen in the walls. Visitors can tour the gun batteries, barracks and moat. Cannon-firing demonstrations take place in summer. Outside are a marsh boardwalk and a path with views toward the Cockspur Island lighthouse. The fort is beside US-80 on the way to Tybee Island, so it pairs well with a same-day trip there. Admission is charged per person, and the America the Beautiful annual pass is accepted.
Opening hours
09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Tybee Island Light Station
- Tybee Island
- Old Fort Jackson
- Bonaventure Cemetery
- Skidaway Island State Park
- Wormsloe Historic Site
- Davenport House Museum
- Owens–Thomas House & Slave Quarters