Fort Gaines, Military fort in Dauphin Island, US
Fort Gaines is a military installation at the entrance of Mobile Bay featuring thick brick walls, bastions, gun emplacements, barrack buildings, and a lighthouse overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The compound extends across several levels and offers passageways, inner courtyards, and open platforms from which you can see the water and surrounding coast.
Construction began in 1821 to protect the coast and the port of Mobile, and the installation changed hands during the Civil War in 1864 after heavy bombardment by Union forces. In the following decades the fort remained operational until it later lost its military role and opened as a monument.
Fort Gaines is named for Edmund Pendleton Gaines, a soldier of the War of 1812 and the Creek War, not a governor. Inside, a museum covers the Civil War period and the French colonial presence on the Gulf coast from the late 17th century. Visitors can also watch an operational blacksmith shop and kitchens, and attend historical reenactment events.
The fort opens throughout the year so you can visit the compound in different weather conditions, with guided tours and educational events taking place regularly. Those exploring the installation should wear sturdy shoes, as pathways can be uneven and outdoor areas may be exposed to weather.
The fort sits only feet from the Gulf of Mexico, and ongoing erosion of its sand dunes and beach totals up to 10 feet per year. The Civil War Preservation Trust placed it on its History Under Siege list on March 18, 2009, naming it among the ten most endangered Civil War battlefields in the United States.
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