Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC
Southern Experiences

Fort Sumter

One of my favorite places to visit when in Charleston is Fort Sumter. This hallowed ground is where the American Civil War began.

Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC

Construction on Fort Sumpter started in 1829, and it is named after a Revolutionary War hero, General Thomas Sumter. It was built as part of a series of forts in response to the War of 1812 to guard the United States ports in what is classified as Third System. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, the Fort was incomplete by the time the Civil War broke out, and South Carolina seceded from the Union.

Fort Sumter | Charleston, SCFort Sumter | Charleston, SC Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC

Fort Sumter is located on a sandbar at the entrance of Charleston Harbor, a site you cannot miss, and was built in the shape of a pentagon. Built with brick, the structure, at the time it was constructed, had walls five feet thick and standing 50 feet over the low tide mark.

Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC

This Fort has been through the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC

shirt (similar) // shorts // shoes // watch // glasses

Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC

Now, I could get in the details of the battles fought at Fort Sumter, but I don’t want to spoil anything for you. Go – and experience this part of America’s history.