Fort Johnson, South Carolina — History & Visitor Guide

Fort Johnson (James Island, Charleston County, South Carolina)

James Island, Charleston County · South Carolina · American Revolution, Civil War

Quick BriefFort Johnson was the primary colonial-era fort guarding Charleston Harbor, situated on the northern part of James Island. In September 1775, South Carolina soldiers under Colonel William Moultrie took control of the fort and raised the South Carolina liberty flag for the first time. On April 12, 1861, a mortar shot from Fort Johnson fired upon Fort Sumter, marking the official beginning of the American Civil War.

Civil WarCoastal defenseOpen to visitors

History & Significance

The fort was constructed by the British during 1704–1708 for defense against the French fleet during Queen Anne's War, and was named for colonial royal governor Nathaniel Johnson. The fort was enhanced in 1759 during the French and Indian War and was built of tabby, made from oyster shells and lime.

During the Stamp Act crisis of 1765, the fort housed revenue stamps and provided protection to British stamp officials. In September 1775, the Council of Safety ordered William Moultrie to seize the fort; Moultrie assigned Colonel Isaac Motte and three 50-man companies led by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Barnard Elliott, and Francis Marion to take it with little resistance, marking the first time the South Carolina flag was raised over a Crown property.

During the 1780 British siege of Charleston, South Carolina troops destroyed the fort and abandoned it, and the British occupied the location until 1782. The signal shot that began the bombardment of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, was fired from a Fort Johnson mortar battery.

Confederate forces transformed the fort into an entrenched camp mounting 26 guns and mortars, and on July 3, 1864, about 130 Confederate defenders repulsed two Union regiments totaling roughly 1,000 men. The fort was abandoned on February 17, 1865, during the Confederate evacuation of Charleston.

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

First location where South Carolina state flag was raised in 1775.
Civil War site with cannons that fired on Fort Sumter in 1861.
Recovered ruins of 18th- and 19th-century fortifications on the Ashley River.
Museum exhibits on Revolutionary and Civil War history.

Best time to visitOctober through April offers mild temperatures; May through September brings heat and humidity typical of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Getting thereCharleston International Airport (CHS) is about 20 km away; the fort is located on James Island near Charleston.

From the nearest major airportCharleston International Airport (CHS)🚗 18 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 29 min drive

Fort Johnson (James Island, Charleston County, South Carolina)

History & Significance

Key Facts

Map

🧳 Visiting

Sources

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