Fort Frederick, South Carolina facts for kids

Fort Prince Frederick was an important fort in what was then British North America. It was the southernmost fort from 1726 to 1758. The fort was first built with logs, but later, strong walls made of "tabby" were added. Tabby is a special type of concrete made from oyster shells, sand, and water. These new walls were finished in 1733.

After the colony of Georgia was started on February 12, 1733, new forts like Fort Frederica were built even further south. This made Fort Frederick less important for defense. You can find the fort in Port Royal, South Carolina.

Why Fort Frederick Was Important

South Carolina was the southernmost British colony in North America until Georgia was founded in 1733. Fort Frederick was built near the southern end of South Carolina, right on Port Royal Sound. This sound was one of the deepest natural harbors on the East Coast.

Controlling Port Royal Sound was very important. Spain claimed this area, and France wanted to expand its territory from the Mississippi River. So, having a strong fort here helped protect British lands.

The fort also protected the town of Beaufort, which was founded in 1711. Beaufort was the second main settlement in the Province of Carolina. The first was Charles Town (now Charleston), started in 1670.

The region became rich from growing rice and trading with Native Americans. This trade was part of the Atlantic triangular trade. The rice farms in coastal South Carolina made Charles Town one of the wealthiest cities in America. However, Fort Frederick became less vital once the new colony of Georgia had a strong military presence led by James Oglethorpe.

What the Fort Looked Like

Fort Frederick was not a very large fort. It measured about 125 feet long and 75 feet wide. It had a clear bastion (a projecting part of a fortification) on its southwest side. The eastern wall had a battery, which is a place for cannons.

Inside the fort, there was a barracks (a building for soldiers) and a magazine (a place to store gunpowder). A group of British soldiers called an "Independent Company of Foot" was stationed there. They were moved to Georgia in 1736.

Who Was Prince Frederick?

Fort Frederick was named after Frederick, Prince of Wales (1707-1751). He was the son of King George II and Queen Caroline. Another fort, Fort Frederica in Georgia, built in 1736, was also named for him.

Frederick grew up in Hanover, which is now part of Germany. He moved to England in 1728 after his father became king. When Fort Frederick was named for him, he was new to the British royal family. Later, when Fort Frederica was named, he was becoming known as a leader who disagreed with some of the royal family's ideas.

Exploring the Fort Site Today

The land where Fort Frederick stands was once part of the Naval Hospital Beaufort. In 1997, it was given to the State of South Carolina. This happened through a program that turns federal lands into parks.

Because of erosion, some parts of the fort are now under the Beaufort River. The parts of the tabby walls that are still visible were protected with a new layer of tabby.

Fort Frederick might be the oldest tabby structure in South Carolina. In 2015, archaeologists studied the site. Once they finish their work, the site might be opened to the public. Van Willis, the Port Royal town manager, said it's wonderful to have this history, but it's hard for people to see it when it's behind a fence.

Fort Frederick and Georgia's Beginning

In January 1733, colonists who were going to start the new colony of Georgia arrived at Fort Frederick. They rested at the fort's newly finished barracks after their long journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

Their leader, James Oglethorpe, who was a Georgia Trustee, went with South Carolina scouts. They traveled about forty miles by water to the Savannah River. There, they chose the spot for Savannah, which would become Georgia's first city.

Fort Frederick and the Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was read to the public on January 1, 1863, at a spot next to Fort Frederick. Many people came by water for this very important event. They landed at the fort's dock and walked through the fort to hear the reading.

This connection between the fort and such a historic event makes the site "hallowed ground," according to historian Dr. Lawrence S. Roland.