Fort Morgan State Historic Site

Fort Morgan Historic Site near Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama offers great tours, the ability to wander through a Civil War Era star fortification, and learn more about history along the Gulf of Mexico.

Fort Morgan State Historic Site

Historic Fort Morgan is the perfect family adventure on Alabama's beautiful Gulf Coast! The massive fort is open for visitors to walk around and learn more about the area.

Fort Morgan is a Third System masonry fort built between 1819 and 1833. Historic Fort Morgan played a significant role in the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864.

It was used in the Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II. Today visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a diverse number of activities including bird watching, relaxing at the picnic area, wandering the fort grounds, checking out the beach, and exploring nature areas.

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Admiral David Farragut stated "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" during the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864. Today you don't have to worry about torpedoes while visiting this Alabama historic site.

We have visited the fort numerous times and every time we find something new to learn or explore. The star fort is fascinating to walk around and imagine what it was like living there over the past 200 years.

Fort Morgan Museum & Store

The museum is filled with really interesting displays! This is the perfect spot to take a break from the heat or chilly weather depending on when you visit.

I always stop into the Fort Morgan gift store when we visit. They have the best gifts that I pick up for friends and family. I don't think I have visited and not found the perfect gift for someone.

I love that they have locally made products, books specific to the area, and so much more. They also have a few snacks perfect for a quick meal.

History of Fort Morgan

Nestled along the picturesque shores of Mobile Bay, the Fort Morgan Historic Site stands as a silent sentinel to a bygone era. This historic site, rich in both history and architectural beauty, has witnessed a remarkable journey, from its construction in the early 19th century to its current status as a cherished tourist attraction.

Early History

Fort Morgan is named for Revolutionary War hero Daniel Morgan. It was built on the site of Fort Bowyer, a small log and sand fort the Army built in 1813 to guard Mobile Bay during the War of 1812.

The British attacked Fort Bowyer twice. The first attack came on September 15, 1814, when four British warships and a force of Royal Marines and Creek allies tried to take the fort. It was a total American victory, and the warship HMS Hermes was sunk. The British returned in early February 1815 with a combined land and naval force, and the outnumbered American garrison surrendered. The Treaty of Ghent had already been signed, and its terms required the British to return the fort to the United States.

Constructing Fort Morgan

After the war, the federal government decided Mobile Bay needed a permanent masonry fort. It was designed by Simon Bernard, a French military engineer who had served under Napoleon. In 1818 the Army contracted Benjamin Hopkins of Vermont to build it. Hopkins died of yellow fever about a year later with little accomplished, and the next contractor, Samuel Hawkins of New York, died in 1821 before completing anything.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took over the project. Skilled masons, many of them enslaved African Americans, built the fort, which holds tens of millions of bricks. Construction began in 1819, but because of its isolated location the fort was not completed until 1834.

Fort Morgan During the American Civil War

Alabama volunteers seized Fort Morgan in early January 1861, about a week before Alabama seceded. The fort sat opposite the Main Ship Channel, the only approach deep enough for major warships. The Confederates aimed 18 of the fort's heaviest guns at the channel, built redoubts and trenches east of the fort to guard against a land attack, and added a small flotilla of the ironclad ram CSS Tennessee and three gunboats. Fort Morgan also covered blockade runners. All 17 vessels that ran out of the bay eluded capture, as did 19 of the 21 that tried to run in.

On August 5, 1864, Admiral David Farragut led his fleet past the fort and into the heavily mined bay with the famous order "Damn the torpedoes!" The Union fleet captured the Tennessee and the Selma, forced the Gaines to be beached and burned, and captured Fort Gaines. That freed Union troops to besiege Fort Morgan. After two weeks of bombardment from sea and land, and a fire in the fort's citadel, Confederate commander Richard Page surrendered on August 23. For the rest of the war the Army used the fort as a base for reconnaissance raids and a staging area for the battles of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley.

Fort Morgan in the Post-Civil War Era

Masonry forts like Fort Morgan had been made obsolete by rifled artillery and steam-powered warships, and the Army was slow to modernize coastal defenses. Major improvements did not start until the 1890s, when the Endicott Board recommended five modern concrete gun batteries for Fort Morgan.

Built between 1895 and 1904, they held 19 guns and mortars, and they were manned during the Spanish-American War and World War I. Between 1898 and 1910 the military greatly expanded the post to nearly 100 buildings, and five of those wooden buildings still stand today.

During World War I the fort trained Coast Artillery soldiers. The Army abandoned it in the 1920s, then reoccupied it for more than two years during World War II. After the war the military returned the fort to the state of Alabama. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1960, and the Alabama Historical Commission has operated it since 1977.

Why you will love Fort Morgan

• Globally important bird area designated by the American Bird Conservancy
• Historic Civil War Era Fort
• Gorgeous views of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico
• Learn about American military history
• Stand in awe of the thousands of bricks used to build the fort

See Fort Morgan From Above

Fort Morgan's pentagon shape, with a bastion at each of its five corners, is easiest to appreciate from the air. ELEV8 Aviation offers 30-minute scenic flights from Gulf Shores International Airport for up to 3 passengers, with views of the Gulf Coast beaches and water. When you book, ask about flying over the Fort Morgan peninsula and the mouth of Mobile Bay. Use code GULFJOURNEY to save 10% on flights.

Things to know when planning a visit to Historic Fort Morgan

Address - 51 State Highway 180 West, Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542

Located at the end of scenic Fort Morgan peninsula near Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.

Fort Morgan is at the western end of Hwy 180, 22 miles west of Hwy 59 in Gulf Shores.

Entrance fee/admission -

The fort offers discounted tickets for college students, seniors, and kids 6 to 18 years old. They also have a family pass for families of four with 2 adult tickets and 2 kids tickets.

There is free admission for active, reserve, or retired military members with ID

Hours - Fort and Grounds: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, daily

Museum: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, daily.

Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Please confirm with the restaurant to ensure that the hours have not changed.

Accessibility - The museum, restrooms, and ground level of the fort are accessible to individuals with physical disabilities. If you have questions about site accessibility or if you anticipate needing special assistance, The fort encourages you to contact them at 251-540-5257.

The walkways are uneven, bumpy, and historic. If you have any knee, hip, joint issues you may want to bring a walking stick or cane to help balance on the uneven surfaces.

Dress Code/Suggestions - Casual, make sure to wear sturdy shoes for walking on uneven ground. Sunscreen and a hat for hot summer days.

Pets - Pets are allowed while on a leash. Make sure to check if there are any areas restricted during your visit.

Parking  - There is a large parking area near the museum and fort entrance.

Restaurants and Attractions nearby

Fort Morgan, AL Restaurants - Check out all of the great places to eat while exploring Fort Morgan.

Mobile Bay Ferry - Hop on the ferry to Dauphin Island near the entrance to Historic Fort Morgan.

Dauphin Island Aquarium - Learn about the sea life that can be found in Mobile Bay and along the Gulf Coast while visiting the aquarium. Wait until you see the touch tank! It is so much fun!

Things to do in Fort Morgan, Alabama - All of the fun things to do and see while visiting Fort Morgan.

Coast Restaurant - Gorgeous waterfront restaurant with one of the best steaks we have found in the area.

Sassy Bass Island Grill - The Island Grill offers great food, amazing customer service, and beach vies!

Sassy Bass Amazin' Grill - This is where the Sassy Bass journey began! They are now famous for Navy Cove Oysters harvested from the farm in Navy Cove Bay 2 miles away. When the ship bell rings, hollerin' is expected!

Sassy Bass Chophouse - Closed

The Village Hideaway - Great sports bar and restaurant located near the entrance to The Beach Club.

Fort Morgan Fishing Pier - A free public fishing pier next to the fort entrance, with Gulf views and good fishing.

Jesse's on the Bay - The Fort Morgan waterfront sister restaurant of Jesse's in Magnolia Springs.

The Spa at The Beach Club - A spa day on the Fort Morgan Peninsula, a good way to cool off after a day at the fort.