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Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina
Author: Bubba73 (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Fort Sumter National Monument is a historic site in Charleston County, South Carolina. This is the site where the first shots were fired that initiated the American Civil War.
Fort Sumter was built following the War of 1812 to defend the southern coast of the United States. Construction began in 1827, but even before the fort could be completed, it was occupied by the US Army, headed by Major Robert Anderson, who moved his troops there on his own initiative, to prevent any attacks by South Carolina militia.
By then South Carolina had declared its secession from the United States, and was repeatedly called for the US troops at Fort Sumter to leave. On 9 January, 1861, the US tried to bring supplies to the troops. The cadets of the Military College of South Carolina fired at the steamer, preventing it from reaching Fort Sumter.
Fort Sumter, South Carolina
Author: Martin1971 (public domain)
Realising that the troops in Fort Sumter would have depleted their food supply by 15 April, President Lincoln ordered a fleet of ship, under the command of Gustavius V. Fox, to attempt gaining entry into Charleston Harbor and reach Fort Sumter. This was the start of the American Civil War.
By the end of the civil war, Fort Sumter was in ruins. After it had been repaired, it was only used as an unmanned lighthouse station. The Fort Sumter National Monument was declared on 28 April, 1948.
Visiting Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina
The Fort Sumter National Monument is located in Charleston, South Carolina. The site is separated into different places. The park headquarters and Fort Moultrie are at Sullivan's Island, on the north side of the harbor. It can be reached on South Carolina State Route 703 (Jasper Boulevard).
Fort Moultrie, part of the Fort Sumter National Monument
Author: DDima (public domain)
The Visitor Education Center is at 340 Concord Street. Here, you can take the Fort Sumter Ferry to the fort. Another site to take the Fort Sumter ferry is Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, on the opposite side of the harbor.
Fort Sumter is located on an island in the mouth of Charleston Harbor. See Google Map for location. It can only be reached by boat. There is a concession-operated ferry departing from the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center in Charleston.
Fort Sumter is open year round except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Opening hours range from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm to 11:30 am to 4:00 pm. While there is no entrance fee to Fort Sumter itself, you have to pay for the ferry, unless you arrive at Fort Sumter on your own boat.
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