Those traveling to the Alabama coast encounter a monument of brick and history at the western end of the narrow promontory of Mobile Point: Fort Morgan. Completed in 1834 after 15 years of construction, this mighty fort sits at the entrance to Mobile Bay, where the freshwater of the delta meets the endless horizon of the Gulf of Mexico. Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay/Alabama shows moments of history in a hasty manner.
A ferry dock is next door. On a large pier, Peter fishes in a unique way: He simply casts a net into the water. Once. Twice. The third time, the net is full of freshly caught fish, which he sells to a nearby restaurant.
All this happens in the shadow of a historic building complex nestled deep in the bay. Even from afar, the star-shaped bulwark looks like a relic from another era – yet it remains a living testament to American coastal defense, nestled in a landscape of white beaches, salty breezes, and rich fishing grounds.
Construction and Architecture: Engineering for Eternity
Fort Morgan was built as a response to the vulnerability of the young nation after the War of 1812. The US government commissioned the French fort builder Simon Bernard to design a modern coastal fortification. Construction dragged on for years, marked by setbacks such as illness and the death of several construction supervisors.
Only under the direction of the US Army Corps of Engineers and with the labor of many enslaved people did the fort grow to its present size: a mighty, pentagonal bastion with thick brick walls, surrounded by a moat and earthworks – built to withstand attacks from both sea and land.
The Gateway to the Bay: Strategic Importance in the Civil War
With the outbreak of the American Civil War, Fort Morgan became the linchpin of the Confederate defenses. Together with Fort Gaines opposite, the fort controlled the two main entrances to Mobile Bay – one of the last major ports in the South.
The Confederates reinforced the walls, built additional entrenchments, and laid mines, better known as "torpedoes", in the main channel. A small fleet, including the armored battering ram CSS Tennessee, waited inside the bay for the Union attack.
On August 5, 1864, the decisive battle took place: Admiral David Farragut led his fleet through the bottleneck between Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, despite the mines and under heavy fire. The explosion of the USS Tecumseh caused by a mine caused the Union troops to hesitate briefly, but Farragut's famous order, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" propelled the ships forward.
After a fierce battle, the Confederate fleet fell, and Fort Morgan was forced to surrender on August 23, 1864, after a two-week siege—a turning point that secured access to the Gulf of Mexico for the Union and dealt a severe blow to the Southern supply lines.
From Bulwark to Historic Landmark: Fort Morgan in the 20th Century
Even after the Civil War, Fort Morgan remained a key military landmark. During the Spanish-American War and both World Wars, the fortress was modernized, new batteries with heavy guns were built, and the site was used as a training and observation post.
However, with technological advances, the stonework lost its military significance – enemy ships had long been able to fire from greater distances. In 1927, Fort Morgan became the property of the state of Alabama and was eventually declared a National Historic Landmark.
Today's State: Hands-On History Amid Maritime Beauty
Today, Fort Morgan presents itself as a sprawling open-air museum, its walls marked by wind and salt, yet still exuding the might of past centuries. Visitors wander through vaults, casemates, and bastions, offering sweeping views over the bay and the open sea.
The complex has been lovingly restored, and information panels and exhibits tell the story of the people, the battles, and the development of coastal defense.
A unique coastal landscape stretches all around: dune grass sways in the breeze, pelicans circle over the sandbars, and the tides bring fresh fish and seafood into the fishermen's nets.
Mobile Bay is famous for its rich oyster beds and clear, fish-filled waters, attracting anglers and nature lovers alike. From Fort Morgan, a ferry departs to Dauphin Island—a short crossing that offers a completely new perspective on the fort and the expanse of the bay.
Fort Morgan Today: Encountering the Past and Nature
Fort Morgan is more than just a monument. It is a place where history and nature merge in a unique way. The walls tell of wars, technological innovations, and the changing times. The surroundings invite you to discover – whether strolling through the fort, birdwatching, or watching the sunset over the Gulf.
Those who come here feel the power of a place that was once the gateway to the South and is now a living testament to American history and coastal culture.
