Fort Mitchell

Fort Mitchell is a fortified position on Hilton Head Island featuring earthwork defenses and artillery placements constructed from local materials including palmetto logs. The remaining structures demonstrate the typical defensive layout of a 19th-century coastal installation.

Union forces established this fort in 1861 as part of a defensive network protecting the South Carolina coastline during the American Civil War. Its strategic position allowed control over waterway access in the region.

This fort served as a crucial coastal defense installation where soldiers from different regions worked together on the fortifications. Visitors today can observe how the various defensive structures shaped daily military life in this remote island location.

Access is provided through marked trails leading to the remaining structures, with informative signs explaining the different defensive positions throughout the site. Visitors should wear proper footwear and be prepared for changing weather conditions.

The fort's cannon positions were specifically arranged to monitor water access around the entire island perimeter. This layout reveals how naval control was central to defending the area during wartime.