18thVirginia
Major
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2012
On a weekend trip to New Orleans, we stopped by Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island in Mobile Bay. The fort is considered environmentally endangered, but it seems to have been well-maintained, considering its location.
Dauphin Island is a barrier island, which translated means "giant sandbar." The fort was built in 1819 as part of the defense of the Gulf Coast, but with problems in construction and land titles and a whole new plan for construction, it was not finished until 1861. In 1898, the Fort was again modified in preparation for the Spanish American War.
Entrance to Fort Gaines
Dauphin Island is a barrier island, which translated means "giant sandbar." The fort was built in 1819 as part of the defense of the Gulf Coast, but with problems in construction and land titles and a whole new plan for construction, it was not finished until 1861. In 1898, the Fort was again modified in preparation for the Spanish American War.
Entrance to Fort Gaines