I visited Fort Macon on the eastern end of Bogues Banks in Carteret County in North Carolina while on vacation during the Christmas break. Like Fort Trumbull in New London, Connecticut, Fort Macon is one of the 52 Third System Forts that comprised the coastal defensive system of the US after the War of 1812.
General Robert E. Lee was stationed at Fort Macon as a young Army officer. The scene of an significant Civil War Battle while occupied by Confederate troops, the fort was under a Union artillery siege from March 23 - April 26, 1862. Its fall into Union hands gave the Northern forces complete control of the entire North Carolina coast. It was re-garrisoned during the Spanish-American War and again during World War II.
Water faces three sides of this pentagonal fort, and the views from the top are pure heaven.
34 Comments
Marvelous and very interesting post as always, Sandy! I do love those historical places and visit whenever I get the opportunity -- your photos and text are the next best thing! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Been there many times. It's a formidable place, isn't it? But I didn't realize it was built as part of a larger network. Guess I should have figured it out when I read your piece on Fort Trumbull a while back.
ReplyDeleteIf your third photo is looking in the direction I think it is, there's a bonus to be had there at certain times of year too. If you're lucky, you can spot dolphins at play in Beaufort Inlet form the fort and the beaches next to it. They hang around the inlet and occasionally they'll follow the harbor tour boats for a while. Probably looking for a handout.
I love visiting old forts. Such history within the area!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. My husband is a Civil War buff. I'll be sending him this link to enjoy too.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had visited it when I lived in South Carolina for 4 months.
ReplyDeletehow fun, never been to that part of usa yet...
ReplyDeleteInteresting place . but the beach .. oh my so nice to see sun and sand .. even if it was winter
ReplyDeleteVery interesting photos Sandy. I have always found that those old forts near water were so dank and dreary even though they are surrounded by beautiful scenery. I love the old pump. I can just imagine the people going there to get their water for the day.
ReplyDeleteFantastic snaps of the fort.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting that it was used even in WWII! The shoreline is lovely there.
ReplyDeleteSandy: What a neat place and I love your beach photo.
ReplyDeleteif you ever make it to savannah fort pulaski is awesome to visit... we love stopping and visiting on our way to tybee island :)
ReplyDeleteOh that's an old water pump, I used to play with what our neighbor had before =)
ReplyDeleteNice captures. I like tHe composition in the 2nd pic.
ReplyDeleteSo different from the forts we get to see here. It must be a great view from up there.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots and information about Fort Macon. I haven't been there in ages but remember taking my daughter at least once.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful scenery and post. What a coincidence, I have also posted an article about a Fort in my post for today.
ReplyDeleteI like wandering around older sites like that and imagining what life was like back then. I want to make it romantic, but it was probably dreary for the soldiers, who wouldn't have had much opportunity to enjoy the scenery and none to leave the fort behind for a nice, warm bed at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteInteresting mix of photos. The beach is lovely, but my favorite is still the middle one.
Pretty! I would love to visit that part of the country.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. It has been part of our national defense during three centuries. Hopefully we won't need it during this century.
ReplyDeleteLove that beach truly lovely and the sand is so white! Great pics to share Sandy.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting historical facts. Love the second photo, great angle!
ReplyDeleteGood pics, interesting history. WWII!?
ReplyDeleteCool.
Aloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
Such wonderful photos with such a cool history.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I love the second image.
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Great photo, thanks for sharing!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. Love that old water pump!
ReplyDeleteInteresting and great place!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Sandy.
Have a lovely week.
There's some great ruins of Medieval coastal forts all along the British coast. Great places to visit.
ReplyDeleteI love historical places. I need to put this on my list when in N.C.. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool old fort, and a great view of the ocean from the fort, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to tell the history that goes with the photos. Gives it more depth and I always appreciate new knowledge !
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love the composition of the second shot! Happy Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.