Old Fort Jackson is named for James Jackson, a former Georgia governor and Revolutionary War colonel. It is a National Historic Landmark and the oldest standing brick fort in Georgia.
Fort Jackson played key roles in the war of 1812 and the Civil War, but the story begins much earlier.
During the American Revolution, soldiers constructed an earthen fortification to protect the Savannah River and the city from British invaders. In 1778, a disease infestation forced the abandonment of the installation.
In the first decade of the 1800s, a serious conflict between France and England began to pull the United States in as concern for the protection of the cities of the East Coast intensified.
In 1808, President Thomas Jefferson authorized the purchase of the site, then known as Salter’s Island, and construction began under the direction of Capt. William McRae for the protection of the river and the city during the War of 1812.
In January 1861, under orders from then Georgia Gov. Joseph Brown, Confederate troops seized the fort from federal control. Throughout the Civil War, Fort Jackson served as a vital Confederate stronghold, housing several elite regiments and a heavy artillery unit.
In December 1864, Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman concluded his famous March to the Sea at Savannah, and the Confederates were forced to abandon the site.
Before exiting, the soldiers took measures to render the fort and its munitions useless to Union troops. They set the barracks ablaze, dumped ordinance in the surrounding moat and the river and rigged the fort’s doors to explode.
On Dec. 21, two Union regiments took possession of Fort Jackson and hoisted the flag. African-American soldiers from the 55th Massachusetts Volunteer infantry were the last active combat troops to occupy Fort Jackson.
Because of advances in artillery technology, Fort Jackson fell into obsolescence and was sold by the federal government in 1923. The Georgia Historical Commission opened the fort as a historic site in 1969, but financial problems forced its closure in 1975.
In the late summer of 1976, the Savannah based nonprofit Coastal Heritage Society reopened Old Fort Jackson under a lease from the State of Georgia. The society receives no federal funds and supports its historic operations through charitable gifts and memberships.
Today, Old Fort Jackson remains a historic jewel that features tours, demonstrations, reenactments and cannon firings among other activities. Summer toddler art and diesel train rides are all part of the experience.
Under an agreement with Savannah River Boat Cruises, a monthly Civil War dinner cruise brings passengers from the historic Riverfront down river to Old Fort Jackson. The riverboat arrives to a cannon salute, and passengers disembark for a 45-minute tour of the fort.
With the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, the staff at Old Fort Jackson has launched a year-by-year celebration. Upon entering the fort, visitors step back in time to the year 1861.
Period costumes, music and activities representing the month and year commemorated are in full swing. Tour guides explain the happenings and historical significance of events that mark various stages of the great conflict. The same will be true for every corresponding year of the Civil War through 2015.
IF YOU GO
Old Fort Jackson: 1 Fort Jackson Road, Savannah, GA 31404. 912-232-3945