Fort Pulaski National Monument

Fort Pulaski National Monument has been part of the National Park Service since October 1924 and is located on Cockspur Island, which is between the city of Savannah and Tybee Island. The fort is presently an outdoor exhibit with guided tours and trails within the 5,365 acres of the park with tidal marshes and mud flats. The fort's construction began in 1829 and was completed in 1833. This $1 million project used around 25 million bricks with eleven feet thick walls. The original purpose of the fort, named after the Revolutionary War soldier Casmir Pulaski, was to protect Savannah at the mouth of the Savannah River. Pulaski, was the Polish hero who was mortally wounded at the siege of Savannah in 1779. Fort Pulaski was built in accordance with plans by General Simon Bernard, formerly chief engineer under Napoleon. Begun in 1829 and completed in 1847, the fort was constructed principally under Lt. J.F.K. Mansfield. Lt. Robert E. Lee saw his first service after graduating from West Point. This site is on the National Register of Historical Places.