Fort James Jackson (Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia)
Savannah, Chatham County · Georgia · Civil War
History & Significance
Fort James Jackson was constructed as part of the 'Second System' of fortifications which were authorized to be constructed under President Thomas Jefferson to protect the eastern seaboard of the United States. Work began on the fort in 1808 and was completed in 1812.
As one of nine fortifications built to protect the approaches to the vital port of Savannah, Fort James Jackson was constructed with the primary purpose of protecting the river approaches to the city. It was engineered by William McRee who had just graduated from West Point.
The fort survived the War of 1812 without having to prove its mettle, the British never attempted a move against Savannah. Following peacetime neglect, it wasn't until 1845, with the completion of Fort Pulaski, that attention was once again paid to the fort and the upgrades necessary to once again make it an effective tool of defense.
The period from 1845-1860 saw a number of major improvements take place. A wet ditch, or moat, fed by tidal water of the Savannah River was dug around the fort.
In addition, brick walls were extended completely around the fort, replacing the wooden landward walls from the original design. During the Civil War Old Fort Jackson was garrisoned by Confederate soldiers like the Irish Jasper Greens, Republican Blues and 22nd Georgia Heavy Artillery beginning in 1861.
During this period, Fort Jackson served as headquarters for the defenses along the Savannah River. It is nationally significant as one of only five surviving Second System Seacoast Fortifications.
Fort Jackson has nearly all of its Second System masonry, original design, and function intact. It was purchased by the city of Savannah in 1924 for park purposes and was fully restored in the 1970s.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Restored nineteenth-century brick fortification with original casemates and gun emplacements
- Civil War artifacts and exhibits on Savannah's coastal defense
- Daily cannon and small-arms demonstrations
- National Historic Landmark overlooking the Savannah River
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_James_Jackson
- https://www.battlefields.org/visit/heritage-sites/fort-james-jackson
- https://chsgeorgia.org/civil-war/
- https://www.dwhike.com/History/Civil-War/Fort-James-Jackson-GA
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=190846
- https://www.discoveramericablog.com/post/old-fort-jackson
- https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NHLS/Text/70000200.pdf
- https://www.filmsavannah.org/locations/location-highlights/historic-fort-jackson/