Fort sumter national monument sullivans island, south carolina confederate and south carolina troops, under the direction of gen. Historians estimate that slave ships brought 200,000 to 360,000 west africans into the charleston harbor until the international slave trade was abolished. Fort moultrie isnt as famous as the fort you can see a little way across the waterfort sumterbut its part of the same complex of defenses for the entrance to charleston harbor. A square fort with corner bastions, its walls were five hundred feet long, more than ten feet high, and sixteen feet apart, with the. Beyond military defense, fort moultrie tells the story of sullivans islands role as an entry point and quarantine station for west africans who were brought to the carolina colony during the middle passage. Fort moultrie sullivans island 2020 all you need to know. Fort moultrie on sullivans island was still under construction using mostly slave labor when it repelled the june 28, 1776 attack by sir henry clintons british. The current fort replaced two prior forts on this site. Moultrie saw sullivans island, at the mouth of the entrance to charlestown harbor as a good place suited to build a fort to protect the entrance from intruding enemy warships.
Fort moultrie, sullivans island, sc real estate listings updated every 15 to 30 minutes. The first fort, built of palmetto logs, inspired the flag and. Fort sumter and fort moultrie national monument in 1796 the u. Entrance fees to fort moultrie on sullivans island. Expecting british poundings at the port of charles towne, south carolina, patriots began work on the first iteration of what would become fort moultrie in 1776. On june 28, 1776, the flag was raised over the palmettolog fort now known as fort moultrie. The citadel was built of the most abundant material available on the shores. Grace episcopal church was established on sullivans island in 18 as a chapel of ease for summering families. As the 70yearold walked among the cannons and brick buildings, the north carolina resident recalled visiting the fort more. Fort moultrie is a series of fortifications on sullivan s island, south carolina, built to protect the city of charleston, south carolina. Fort sumter, fort moultrie and the charleston light are all located on sullivan s island. The fort moultrie quartermaster and support facilities historic district is a relatively small collection of buildings located on the western end of sullivans island. Fort moultrie is a major historic site on sullivans island, south carolina. Fort moultrie i was located on sullivans island at the mouth of charleston harbor.
The south carolina council of safety wanted to salute the british warships in the harbor with a flag to show them they were now in possession of the fort. Fort sumter was planned after the war of 1812 as one of a series of specialty fort specifically aimed at protecting east coast harbors. Built on a corner of sullivans island, fort moultrie is now mostly buried under dirt. The fort moultrie flag was created by colonel william moultrie when he was ordered to take over fort johnson on james island in charleston harbor, south carolina in 1775. Fort moultrie, 1214 middle st, sullivans island, sc 2020. The first fort moultrie on sullivans island, constructed of palmetto logs and sand, was built in the 1770s.
The american revolution in south carolina fort moultrie. Fort moultrie is a series of fortifications on sullivans island, south carolina, built to protect the city of charleston, south carolina. Fort moultrie real estate fort moultrie sullivans island. The second version of fort moultrie, a fivesided redoubt erected a decadeandahalf after the american revolutionary war had ended, was leveled less than six years later by a huge hurricane which roared through south carolina in september 1804. Zillow has 3 homes for sale in fort moultrie sullivans island matching. This palmetto log fort was built in 1776 in the defense of charleston and went through many. To honor this feat, the fort was named after the commander moultrie, and charleston county locals still celebrate carolina. Instantly search and view photos of all homes for sale in fort moultrie, sullivan s island, sc now.
Fort sumter, fort moultrie and the charleston light are all located on sullivans island. Located in sullivans island, this beachfront condo building is in the city center and within a 5minute walk of fort sumter and fort moultrie national historical park. This palmetto log fort was built in 1776 in the defense of charleston and went through many changes over its lifetime from the revolutionary. Fort moultrie is on sullivan s island, sc across the harbor from charleston. Rent a whole home for your next weekend or holiday. Instantly search and view photos of all homes for sale in fort moultrie, sullivans island, sc now. Fort sumter and fort moultrie national historical park town of.
For instance, fort moultrie was the first fort on sullivans island. Fort moultrie, sullivans island, south carolina have camera will. The lowlaying coastal structure, which encompasses a large parcel of atlantic ocean bordering beaches on the southern tip of sullivans island, began as a revolutionary war defense before being transformed into a secondary confederate stronghold during the civil war. Composed of soft palmetto logs, it withstood a ninehour battle in 1776 when nine warships were advancing on charleston.
Whether youre soaking up revolutionary war history at fort moultrie, kiteboarding at top speed, relaxing with your feet up and a view of the lighthouse, or dining al fresco with the family on middle street, sullivans island promises that time spent here is time well remembered. Fort moultrie is administered by the fort sumter national monument. Self and guided tours are available, as well as a visitor center museum exhibit providing a 20minute film and look at the forts history. These forts were first built to defend the city of charleston, with the original built of palmetto logs. The parapet was altered and the armament modernized, but the big improvement in charlestons defenses during this period was the construction of fort sumter at the entrance of the harbor. That sanctuary was severely damaged by union shells during the civil war, and it was shuttered by 1879. Fort moultrie, fort sumter national monument, sullivans island, south carolina, united states. Recent news town of sullivans island official website. Fort moultrie on sullivans island was still under construction using mostly slave labor when it repelled the june 28, 1776 attack by sir henry clintons british fleet during the revolutionary war. Fort moultrie is the current name for several forts on sullivans island in south carolina. The first fort on sullivans island, constructed of palmetto logs and sand, was still incomplete when.
Colonel moultrie created this flag for the purpose. Bench by the road at sullivans island fort moultrie. The famed seminole indian leader osceola is buried on the fort grounds. The historical significance of sullivans island began in the 1671 when. Four years later, the british captured charlestown and fort moultrie. Sullivans island was chosen because at the time because it was a geographic obstacle that shielded the harbor. Moultrie is still controlled by the federal government, only its the national park service that preserves the fort and tells its story as a defender of south carolina for more than 170 years. Fort moultrie is on sullivans island at 1214 middle st. Sullivans island beach plan your sullivans beach vacation. Sullivans island, which sits at the mouth of the entrance to charles towne harbor, was the location of this structure made of palmetto logs. Choose from more than 4,000 properties, ideal house rentals for families, groups and couples. A sign closing fort moultrie national monument surrounded by floodwaters in the quaint beach community of sullivans island as freak rain storms drenched the region with more than 28inches of rain over the past three days october 5, 2015 in charleston, south carolina.
Latest news on covid19 and information on sullivans island restriction. Fort moultrie sullivans island united states south. Sullivans island kirk carrison is no stranger to fort moultrie. Fort moultrie 17761947 fort moultrie is the name of a series of forts on sullivans island, charleston county, south carolina, built to protect. The current fort moultrie was built in 1809 and was active in every war through world war ii. The fort, then called fort sullivan, was occupied by a south carolina militia led by colonel william moultrie. This fort saved charlestown from british occupation and was named in honor of its commander colonel william moultrie. The fort was the scene of important battles during the american revolution and the civil war. The original palmetto log fort was begun in 1776 and only partially completed when attacked by a squadron of british warships. William moultrie and his men staved off the assault in the battle of sullivans island.
Fort moultrie, sullivans island ticket price timings. Fort moultrie fort sumter and fort moultrie national. Robert anderson beginning april 12, 1861, signaling the start of the american. Most of the buildings are currently used as single or multiple dwellings. Located on sullivans island, fort moultrie was a key defensive position in controlling charleston harbor during the revolutionary war. Sullivans island was the point of entry for approximately 40 percent of the 400,000 enslaved africans brought to british north america. Fort moultrie, sullivans island, south carolina have. Fort moultrie, one of the oldest stillstanding forts along the eastern seaboard, is a must see destination for history buffs. During the american revolution, the island was the site of a major battle at fort sullivan on june 28, 1776, since renamed fort moultrie. Bench by the road at sullivans island fort moultrie the green. A military post for more than 170 years, the fort was the site of one of the first american victories of the revolutionary war. Beauregard, bombarded the union garrison commanded by maj.
A smallerbutnoless important fort protecting charlestons harbor, fort moultrie was in operation from 1776 through 1947. Fort sumter and fort moultrie national historical park u. The state government therefore sought a more permanent replacement from washington, ceding the necessary lands on lonely windswept sullivans island. The first fort, formerly named fort sullivan, built of palmetto logs, inspired the flag and nickname of south carolina, as the palmetto state. Sullivans island, sc photo tours and travel information. Construction began in february 1776 on the thenunnamed palmetto log and sand fort. Between 1809 and 1860 fort moultrie changed little. Officers from fort moultrie also attended the church as regular worshipers, though services were held only from june through october. Fort moultrie is on sullivans island, sc across the harbor from charleston. Fort moultrie sullivans island 2020 all you need to. Fort moultrie is a unit of fort sumter national monument.
Union soldiers abandoned the fort in december 1860 for the stronger fort sumter. Construction started in 1829 and was not completed in 1860 when south carolina seceded from the union. By 1809 a new brick fort stood on sullivan s island. By 1809 a new brick fort stood on sullivans island. Fort moultrie is on sullivans island, just north of the charleston peninsula. Fort moultrie fort sumter and fort moultrie national historical park. The lowlaying coastal structure, which encompasses a large parcel of atlantic ocean bordering beaches on the southern tip of sullivan s island, began as a revolutionary war defense before being transformed into a secondary confederate stronghold during the civil war. In june 1776, the royal navy of britain attacked what was then called fort sullivan, firing cannonballs directly into its walls. Fort moultrie, sullivan s island, sc real estate listings updated every 15 to 30 minutes. Sullivans island, south carolina fort moultrie hd 2017 youtube. Visit fort moultrie on your trip to sullivans island or. Fort moultrie is a series of citadels on sullivans island, south carolina, built to protect the city of charleston, south carolina.
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