Fort Morgan, Alabama, or Fort Bowyer, is an unincorporated community in Baldwin County. This unincorporated community sits on Mobile Point, which extends from Gulf Shores westward and towards historic Fort Morgan. This city is known for its pristine white sand beaches and southern charm. During your vacation in the area, you can enjoy all that the town has to offer. If you’re considering moving to the area, consider making this your next destination.
The city was one of the last Confederate forts on Mobile Bay. After Confederate General Richard L. Page surrendered his fort to Union troops on August 23, 1864, Fort Morgan continued to be a useful staging area for battles and reconnaissance raids. The Battle of Spanish Fort took place here a few days before General Robert E. Lee signed his surrender at Appomattox. If you are interested in learning more about the history of Fort Morgan, you can visit the Alabama Historical Commission’s website.
When visiting Fort Morgan, make sure to take your camera! You can buy a unique souvenir at the Fort Morgan Museum. There are also plenty of great souvenir shops in Fort Morgan. If you like Southern coastal style, you’ll want to check out the Fort Morgan gift shop. You can purchase fine jewelry, Fort Morgan windbreakers, and t-shirts at this charming local store. You can even find books on nature, a Deneen Pottery Mug, a U.S.-made ceramic mug, or a bird statue or tile.
A quiet gulf-front community, Fort Morgan is located on a peninsula that straddles the Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Located on the peninsula’s western tip, the town boasts a wildlife refuge and miles of nature trails. In addition to miles of beaches and pristine waterways, the peninsula features the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, which draws bird lovers from all over the world. Throughout the year, you’re sure to find something to do in Fort Morgan.
While the area is known for its beautiful white sand beaches, it is important to remember that cell towers in Fort Morgan can be spotty. When on a Fort Morgan beach, you’ll want to avoid using cell phone services if you want to avoid cell signal problems. Luckily, Fort Morgan is home to several family-friendly attractions, including the 29th Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade, Winter Wonderland at The Wharf, and Coastal Christmas with Aaron Neville.
During the Civil War, Fort Morgan served as a staging area for battles and reconnaissance missions. During the renovations in the 1870s, the fort received twelve 200-pounder Parrott rifled cannons. The US Government then abandoned Fort Morgan and let it fall into disrepair. In 1895, Secretary of War William Endicott appointed a Board to address the problem and begin construction of new concrete batteries. From 1900 to 1913, Fort Morgan had over 100 structures supporting its coast defense mission.
Construction of the fort began in 1819, but was not completed until 1834. Many enslaved African Americans were used to build the fort, including many skilled masons. The fort contains approximately 46 million cubic yards of bricks. It is free to visit Fort Morgan for active-duty military personnel and their families. After that, the fort is a popular tourist destination. If you have a family member who is a military member, you may want to consider bringing them along.