Fort Mitchel
Fort Mitchel is a historic fort located on the northern tip of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Fort Michel was named after General Ormsby M. Mitchel and was built in 1862 to protect Charleston Harbor from the Union Navy attack. Fort Mitchel has stood for more than 150 years as an iconic symbol of the Civil War and its impact on this region. Click for more info Fountain Painting.
Initially constructed by the Confederate troops, the fort was hastily built and manned to help protect the waterfront South Carolina borders, including the crucial ports of Beaufort, Charleston, and even Savannah, Georgia. The remnants of the fort a barely recognizable as it has all collapsed in. However, if you follow the path across the bridge and view the fort from that side, you can see where the old moat was and how the dirt was built up to form the fort.
Fort Mitchel remains one of the few pre-Civil War coastal fortification examples. From Fort Mitchel’s strategic position atop a bluff overlooking Port Royal Sound, visitors can still get a fantastic view of ships sailing far below. It’s hard not to be impressed at how much Fort Mitchel withstood over time – undoubtedly aided by its thick brick walls and sturdy mortar!
A gate pass is required to access the community where Fort Mitchel is located but can be easily picked up on-site at the small entrance guard station, free of charge. Visitors can simply follow the small historical markers to the entrance of Fort Mitchel. A short paved pathway runs through the site, extending both parallels to and along the earthen works. Scattered signs note points of interest throughout the site, and several era-appropriate cannons are also stationed in Fort Mitchel. Up next is Coligny Plaza Shopping Center.
Fort Mitchel has an exciting history of how they protected the coastline. So if you find yourself in Hilton Head, swing by Fort Mitchel and explore its fascinating past. You won’t regret it! You might even find a few hidden gems among the ruins!