We had explored most of Gulf State Park and decided we should check out Fort Morgan, before leaving the area. It was about a 30 minute drive from the park. Fort Morgan is located on Mobile Point in Gulf Shores, AL. Originally, Fort Bowyer was built there in 1812. Later, the existing Fort Morgan was built between 1819 and 1833. It is most famous for its role in the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay, after which Confederate General Richard Page surrendered the fort. It was also used during the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. The fort became a State of Alabama Historic Site in 1946.
This fort reminded us a lot of Fort Sumter, in Charleston South Carolina, which we visited a few years ago. My high school and college edication included very lttle about the civil war, so I have personally learned a lot about the the war and unimaginable loss of life and bloodshed on US soil, visiting these historic places. Fort Morgan has a great museum, which was much smaller than the museum at Fort Sumter, where we learned more about the difficult life of a civil war soldier and about horrible death and destruction. Amazingly, the site is a very beautiful and peaceful place, now.
It was very chilly 37 degrees, plus wind chill. We had planned on temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s, but I was happy I brought warm layers, just in case.
Fort Morgan – Down coat and gloves required on this chilly day
