Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve

Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve sits along the Beaufort River and contains remains of an 18th-century British fortification with distinctive tabby walls. The ruins still show the original layout of the fort with its characteristic stone structures.

The British built the fortification between 1730 and 1734 as protection against Spanish attacks from St. Augustine. It served as a key defensive position on the southeastern American coast.

The site displays early British military construction methods visible in its standing walls today. The tabby technique, made from crushed shells, lime, and sand, was an innovative building approach that visitors can observe while exploring the ruins.

The grounds are open daily for visitors and feature walking trails to explore the ruins and information panels. Easy pathways wind through the fortification remains, allowing visitors of various mobility levels to view the structures.

The site is one of the last surviving places in South Carolina where you can see tabby construction from the early colonial period. This building method was popular in coastal areas at the time, but few examples remain intact today.

Location: Port Royal

GPS coordinates: 32.38500,-80.67940

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:21