Fort Moultrie, one of the oldest still-standing forts along the Eastern Seaboard, is a "must see" destination for history buffs. The low-laying 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. 

The fort was first built during the onset of the Revolutionary War, when American patriots began constructing a barrier island fort that would secure the bustling port town of Charleston from the invading British. Still unnamed and incomplete, the fort was quickly attacked by British soldiers on June 28th, 1776, although somehow the ramshackle structure, comprised mainly of the local Palmetto logs, was able to withstand the surprising attack. According to reports, cannonballs simply bounced off of the sturdy walls, and 400 soldiers under the direction of William Moultrie, commander of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment and the barely-operational fort, fought a day-long battle that miraculously ended with a fleet of heavily damaged British ships retreating from the coastal Charleston area.

(I’ve lived in I’On for over 18 years and am almost embarrassed to say I’ve never been.  Please join me.) 

Our neighbor, Cheri Yates, works for the National Park Service and was kind enough to book this tour with her favorite ranger.