The fort’s history begins in colonial times as a key hole to the harbor and defense against pirates. There on Sullivan Island, the South Carolina State Flag symbol, the palmetto tree, was originated. British cannon balls were absorbed by the soft palmetto logs leaving the Revolutionary defenses essentially intact against the first invasion attempt by Lord David Cornwallis’s British campaign to take the southern colonies during the revolution.
In the 1840’s Edgar Allen Poe incorporated the site into his work, “The Gold Bug.”
Skipping ahead a bit we see the Civil War era remains. From Fort Moultrie the first shot of the American Civil War was fired. Legend has it the fuse was touched off by one Edmond Ruffin, a strong states rights agriculture leader. I guess we would call him a radical. In any case the legend continues with his firing the last shot also. He shot himself when the South’s attempt at independence failed in 1865. The brickworks , casemates, cannons, et al are well preserved and well presented by the National Park Service.
Fort Moultrie presents more history. Merging with antebellum and Civil War history, World War I gun emplacements are in their original form. This was begun with the Spanish American War in 1898 when the population of the east coast was afraid the Spanish were coming to bombard and invade the US. It was this scare that inspired the decision to expedite the movement for the Panama Canal.
By 1914, the next threat was from German raiders and submarines. The fort assumed another role in coastal defenses. Then, of course, came World War II, and the guns again were armed and ready. In fact, displays and preservation center on life for the garrison during WWII. Original equipment is preserved as though orders came though to leave and they just turned the lights out and left. Of interest are yardarm signals: Charlie/Hotel/Charlie---Charleston Harbor Control. The site is still utilized as a control and communication point for shipping.
Touring Fort Moultrie can take about four hours. It’s a good idea to being in the AM and break for Lunch. That’s means seafood again and there is no trouble finding a restaurant. Since it is handy, it is very convenient to head on over to the Isle of Palms and look at a Movie Star Beach. To say that it is a Movie Star Beach is a little misleading. The sumptuous and palatial quality of the homes found there is why I call it a Hollywood Beach. In any case it’s a nice ride. A view of real estate values will confirm that land is sold by the inch and that the houses---palaces have a tendency to stir thoughts of envy.
One of the other sites to tour by car and pretty close to Mt. Peasant and Isle of Palms is Boone Hall Plantation. Janet and I have taken this tour. Entry is about $15. It is an old plantation site, which has survived since colonial times. In days past it produced indigo and rice. Later, cotton and bricks were its staples. Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie were construction with Boone Hall bricks. Dating back 300 years, it has survived the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the depression, hurricanes, and today’s taxes---being maintained as a very large farm which produces several varieties of produce.
(Charleston continued on Page 9)
More About Charleston: COWOYO
By Everett Ward
No. COWOYO isn’t a spelling error. It means “Charleston on Wheels, on Your Own”.
After a day of walking, a good dinner, and back to the hotel to plan the next day we see that there is a variety of things to see via auto. Of course there are many tour group services available, but old Lizzie is a capable beast and can get us around without any due concern. The itinerary we choose is similar to one Janet and I have done in the past.
We decide to do Ft. Moultrie first. This takes us
north on Hwy 17 from Charleston across the new Arthur Ravenel Bridge and
its breathtaking view to Mt. Pleasants and Sullivan’s Island. It has, by
the way, a walking and biking feature that is friendly to walking and
biking—no other bridge like it. What a walk! What a view! It is the
longest cable stayed bridge in North America. Once across the bridge we
immediately turn right and simply follow the signs to the Fort Site.
There we find a panoramic view of Charleston Harbor and the fort itself.
It is a national park with an entry fee of about $3. It is well
maintained with attentive and knowledgeable Ranger Ricks to guide and
inform.
