Fort Pulaski

Fort Pulaski was built in the 1830s and 40s to protect the city of Savannah from naval attack. In 1862 the Union Army captured and took control of the fort. It then became a prison for captured Confederate soldiers. After the war, it was pretty much abandoned until 1924 when the government made it a national monument.

Interesting facts about Fort Pulaski:

• The first known photograph of people playing baseball was taken of Union soldiers inside Fort Pulaski. Although baseball had been around for a while before the Civil War, its popularity spread quickly as more men joined the military and learned the sport from their fellow soldiers.

• The Union Army was able to take the fort using their new rifled cannons, which allowed them to be a safe distance away from the fort but still cause significant damage. This damage can still be seen in some of the outer walls.

We were super lucky to be there when this man gave a black powder demonstration. His old rifle was really neat. And it really packed a punch.