Morris Island facts for kids
Morris Island is a special island in South Carolina, located right at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. It's about 840 acres big, which is like 636 football fields! No one lives on Morris Island, and you can only get there by boat. Because of its important location, it played a big part in the American Civil War. Today, parts of the island belong to the cities of Charleston and Folly Beach.
Contents
Island History: A Civil War Story
Morris Island was a very important spot during the American Civil War. It had strong defenses, especially a place called Fort Wagner. On January 9, 1861, some of the very first shots of the war were fired from Morris Island. Cadets from The Citadel shot at a ship called the Star of the West. This ship was trying to bring supplies to Fort Sumter, another important fort nearby.
Battles and Heroes
The island saw a lot of fighting when the Union Army tried to capture Charleston. One of the most famous events was a brave but difficult attack by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This was an African-American regiment, meaning it was made up of Black soldiers. They fought incredibly bravely, even though more than half of them were injured or killed. Their story was made famous in the movie Glory.
The Immortal Six Hundred
After the Confederates left Morris Island in 1863, the Union Army took control. The next year, they brought about 600 Confederate officers to the island. These officers were used as human shields. This meant they were placed in a spot where the Confederate cannons at Fort Sumter might hit them. The Union hoped this would stop the Confederates from firing. Luckily, none of these officers were killed by cannon fire, though some got sick. They became known as the Immortal Six Hundred in the South.
What Remains Today
Over time, the ocean has caused a lot of beach erosion on Morris Island. This means that the waves and tides have washed away the land. Because of this, you can no longer see any signs of the old forts, including Fort Wagner.
Morris Island Light: A Guiding Light
Morris Island is also home to the Morris Island Light. This is a tall lighthouse that stands proudly on the southern side of the entrance to Charleston Harbor. It's north of the town of Folly Beach and has guided ships for many years.
Saving Morris Island: A Team Effort
For a while, there were plans to build fancy homes on the northern part of Morris Island. This would have turned the island into a luxury neighborhood. But many groups thought the island was too important to be developed. They wanted it to be protected as a national historical park.
The Fight to Preserve
In 2005, a developer even tried to sell 125 acres of the island on eBay for $12.5 million! He had been trying to get permission to build more homes but decided he just wanted to sell. Many groups worked together to save the island.
A Happy Ending
Finally, in 2006, a group called the Trust for Public Land (TPL) bought Morris Island for $4.5 million. Later, in 2008, TPL and other partners, like the South Carolina Conservation Bank and the American Battlefield Trust, bought the island again. They bought it on behalf of the City of Charleston for $3 million. This was a big win for preservation! The city and county are now working to protect the island's amazing history and nature.
Morris Island in Stories
Morris Island has even appeared in books! In the novel series Virals by Kathy Reichs, the main characters in the story all live on Morris Island.
Images for kids
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Union Army mortar battery on Morris Island, 1865
