BOOM! What a cool experience visiting Old Fort Jackson. It was constructed in 1808 over top of an old earthen Revolutionary War battery. Fort Jackson allowed soldiers to guard Savannah during the war of 1812. This fort then played a key role in defending Savannah during the Civil War, as it became the HQ for Savannah’s river defense after the fall of Fort Pulaski. This was until 1864, when confederate troops abandoned the fort, making their way to South Carolina, as federal troops were approaching.
Our visit was quite a bit more peaceful, but still very exciting. We enjoyed a weapons demonstration from a very knowledgeable guide, self-toured parts of the old fort, and then joined the crowd that gathered for the highlight of our visit… the launching of the cannon!
For an old fort, we were happy with how accessible Old Fort Jackson was. I used my freewheel and was able to navigate the large grassy areas, while the interior parts of the fort were easy enough to handle with my regular wheels. The only tricky part was parking, as most visitors go through the tiny Visitor Center. While the center has a steep wooden ramp on the front, the exit and path that follow are not designed for mobility. Instead, those who need to, are instructed to drive down to the end of the parking lot and cross to the fort along an access road. For a historic site, we were happy with what I could explore. There were only two parts I couldn’t access, the upper bunker level walkway and one demonstration area that has benches too close together to navigate between. I highly suggest asking lots of questions, the guide who was there for us knew so much about the history of the fort. There was a lot to learn!
