Old Fort Jackson

6lb Cannon Firing Display, Old Fort Jackson, Savannah, Georgia

– Click on the image to enlarge or purchase –

Old Fort Jackson

Fort James Jackson (usually shortened to Fort Jackson or Old Fort Jackson) is a restored 19th century fort located one mile east of Savannah on the Savannah River.

The fort is the oldest standing in Georgia. Used extensively during the War of 1812 and the Civil War, it was the home port for the ironclad CSS Georgia which was scuttled across the river from the fort to keep the ironclad out of the hands of the Union Army when Union General Sherman neared Savannah on his infamous “March to the Sea”.

The fort has been a part of Coastal Georgia’s history for two centuries. Named in honor of Georgia governor and Revolutionary War soldier James Jackson, it is the oldest standing brick fortification in the state.  It is one of only eight Second System fortifications (a series of forts built prior to the War of 1812) still standing in the United States, serving as headquarters for the Confederate Savannah River defenses during the American Civil War.  The fort was one of three Confederate forts that defended Savannah from Union forces (the other two were Fort McAllister and Fort Pulaski).

When the Union army commanded by Sherman captured Savannah by land in December 1864, it took Fort Jackson almost immediately. The fort went by the name of Fort Oglethorpe between 1884 and 1905, and was little used by the U.S. military. It was purchased by the city of Savannah in 1924 for park purposes and was fully restored in the 1970s.

Old Fort Jackson is known for its daily cannon firing demonstrations during the  summer and on weekends through the rest of the year.   It is the only historic fort in the United States delivering cannon salutes to passing military vessels.

6lb Cannon Firing Display, Old Fort Jackson, Savannah, Georgia

– Click on the image to enlarge or purchase –

The fort was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in February 1970 becoming a National Historic Landmark in 2000.

Summary

Article Name

Old Fort Jackson

Description

Fort James Jackson (usually shortened to Fort Jackson or Old Fort Jackson) is a restored 19th century fort one mile east of Savannah on the Savannah River.

Author

Mark Summerfield

Publisher Name

Mark Summerfield

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