Fort Gaines (Alabama) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Gaines
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Northern (entrance) facade of Fort Gaines in 2008
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | Dauphin Island, Alabama, US |
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| Nearest city | Mobile, Alabama |
| Built | 1821 |
| Architect | Totten, Joseph G. |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000348 |
| Added to NRHP | December 12, 1976 |
Fort Gaines is a famous historic fort located on Dauphin Island, Alabama. It was named after a brave soldier, Edmund P. Gaines. This fort was built in 1821. It is most famous for its important role in the Battle of Mobile Bay. This battle happened during the American Civil War.
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Exploring Fort Gaines Today
Fort Gaines is a fun place to visit. You can see many interesting things there. The fort has a huge anchor from the USS Hartford. This ship was Admiral David Farragut's main ship. He said his famous words, "Damn the torpedoes – full speed ahead!" from this ship.
What You Can See Inside
The fort still has the original cannons. These cannons were used during the battle. You can also explore five brick buildings. They were built before the Civil War. These buildings are in the fort's main courtyard. There is even a working blacksmith shop. You can also see old kitchens.
Tunnels and History
You can walk through tunnel systems. These tunnels lead to strong corner areas called bastions. A museum inside the fort tells its story. It covers the Civil War period. It also shares facts about the French people who lived there. They arrived in the late 1600s.
Modern Updates and Events
Fort Gaines was updated for the Spanish–American War. Today, it is a popular place for tourists. You can take tours and watch historical reenactment events. Experts say it is one of the best-preserved forts from the Civil War era. It has even been suggested as a National Historic Landmark.
Keeping Fort Gaines Safe
Over the years, strong hurricanes and tropical storms have hit the fort. These storms caused a lot of damage to its brick walls. Most of this damage has been fixed. However, the fort is still in danger. It faces a big threat from erosion.
Facing Erosion Challenges
The fort sits on the eastern tip of Dauphin Island. It is very close to the Gulf of Mexico. The sand dunes and beach around it are slowly washing away. About 10 feet of land are lost each year. This erosion is a serious problem.
Efforts to Protect the Fort
Because of this, the Civil War Preservation Trust listed Fort Gaines. They put it on their History Under Siege list in 2009. This list names the ten most endangered Civil War battlefields. In 2011, it was also named one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. This was done by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. These efforts help bring attention to protecting this important piece of history.
See also
Images for kids
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Inside the fort
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Looking to the north at the south side of the fort in 2010
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Looking to the southwest over the fort in 2008
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Fort Gaines, April 2002
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Anchor from the USS Hartford, located in the center of the fort, June 2012
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Cannon, August 2015
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Wall of the fort, August 2015
