Fort Walker (Hilton Head) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Walker |
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| Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, U.S. | |
 Fort Walker
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| Coordinates | 32°14′07″N 80°40′40″W / 32.23528°N 80.67778°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1861 |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Port Royal |
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Fort Walker was an important fort during the American Civil War. It was built by the Confederate army. You could find it on Hilton Head Island, in South Carolina. The fort was placed right at the entrance of Port Royal Sound.
Contents
Fort Walker's Story
Building the Fort
Fort Walker was built in 1861. Many people, including those forced into slavery, worked to build it. The main goal of the fort was to protect Port Royal. This was a very important port for the Confederate states. They wanted to stop the Union army from blocking their ships.
The Battle of Port Royal
In November 1861, a big fight happened here. It was called the Battle of Port Royal. Fort Walker worked with another Confederate fort, Fort Beauregard. Fort Beauregard was on the other side of Port Royal Sound. Both forts tried to defend the area from the Union navy.
After the Battle
The Union forces won the battle. They took control of Fort Walker. After they captured it, they changed its name. They called it Fort Welles. This new name honored Gideon Welles. He was the Secretary of the Navy for the United States at that time. Later, between 1897 and 1902, the fort was updated. It even got a special 15-inch experimental "dynamite gun."
Visiting Fort Walker Today
Today, you can still find the spot where Fort Walker once stood. There is a special marker there to show its history. The site is on Fort Walker Drive in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It's not open for everyone to visit freely. However, you can take guided tours. These tours are offered through the Coastal Discovery Museum.
