Skip to main content
  • Visitors
  • Meetings
  • Sports
Visitors
    • Beach Houses
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Condos
    • Hotels
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Resorts
    • RV Parks & Camping
    Friends on the beaches in Alabama
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Tent camping in Gulf Shores, AL
    The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Children at Waterville USA in Gulf Shores
    How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation
    All Places to Stay
    • Beaches
    • Attractions
      • Arts & Culture
      • Coastal Crafters
      • History & Museums
      • Indoor Activities
      • Popular Attractions
      • All Attractions
    • Amusements & Entertainment
      • Mini Golf
      • All Amusements & Entertainment
    • Fishing
      • Fishing Seasons
      • All Fishing
    • Outdoor Activities
      • Back Bay Blueway
      • Biking
      • Birding
      • Gulf State Park
      • Hiking
      • Motorcycle Runs
      • Nature & Parks
      • Shelling
      • Tours
      • Trails
      • All Outdoor Activities
    • Water Activities
      • Boating
      • Diving
      • Equipment Rentals & Outfitters
      • Jet Skiing
      • Kayaking
      • Marinas
      • Paddleboarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Gulf State Park Beach
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Wharf Ferris wheel
    Ten Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Dad and kids hunting crabs on Alabama's beaches
    Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast
    All Things to Do
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    Hangout Music Festival
    Hangout Music Festival - Event Page
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
    All Events
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    The Best Restaurants for Fine Dining on Alabama Beaches
    Pouring a cup of coffee
    The Four Best Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Cobalt the Restaurant Orange beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
    All Restaurants
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Order a Vacation Guide
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
      • Couples Newsletter
      • Destination Newsletter
      • Fishing Newsletter
      • Golf Newsletter
      • All eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Maps
    • Getting Here
    • Weather
    • Welcome Centers
    • Couples Getaway
    • Family Vacations
    • Beach Safety
    Gulf Shores, Alabama
    Nine Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Vacation
    Beach house kitchen
    5 Things I Learned From My Alabama Beach Vacation
    Dog Pond Lake Shelby
    Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation
    All Planning Tools
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Couple biking on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf Shores, AL
    Bike-Sharing at Gulf State Park: Share the Trails, Share the Wheels
    Teen friends on Sail Wild Hearts in Orange Beach, AL
    Six Teen-Approved Things to Do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
    Waterville USA
    5 Thrilling Amusement Parks Gulf Shores Orange Beach
    All Blogs
  • Deals
    All Deals
Visitors
    • Beach Houses
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Condos
    • Hotels
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Resorts
    • RV Parks & Camping
    Friends on the beaches in Alabama
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Tent camping in Gulf Shores, AL
    The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Children at Waterville USA in Gulf Shores
    How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation
    All Places to Stay
    • Beaches
    • Attractions
      • Arts & Culture
      • Coastal Crafters
      • History & Museums
      • Indoor Activities
      • Popular Attractions
      • All Attractions
    • Amusements & Entertainment
      • Mini Golf
      • All Amusements & Entertainment
    • Fishing
      • Fishing Seasons
      • All Fishing
    • Outdoor Activities
      • Back Bay Blueway
      • Biking
      • Birding
      • Gulf State Park
      • Hiking
      • Motorcycle Runs
      • Nature & Parks
      • Shelling
      • Tours
      • Trails
      • All Outdoor Activities
    • Water Activities
      • Boating
      • Diving
      • Equipment Rentals & Outfitters
      • Jet Skiing
      • Kayaking
      • Marinas
      • Paddleboarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Gulf State Park Beach
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Wharf Ferris wheel
    Ten Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Dad and kids hunting crabs on Alabama's beaches
    Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast
    All Things to Do
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    Hangout Music Festival
    Hangout Music Festival - Event Page
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
    All Events
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    The Best Restaurants for Fine Dining on Alabama Beaches
    Pouring a cup of coffee
    The Four Best Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Cobalt the Restaurant Orange beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
    All Restaurants
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Order a Vacation Guide
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
      • Couples Newsletter
      • Destination Newsletter
      • Fishing Newsletter
      • Golf Newsletter
      • All eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Maps
    • Getting Here
    • Weather
    • Welcome Centers
    • Couples Getaway
    • Family Vacations
    • Beach Safety
    Gulf Shores, Alabama
    Nine Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Vacation
    Beach house kitchen
    5 Things I Learned From My Alabama Beach Vacation
    Dog Pond Lake Shelby
    Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation
    All Planning Tools
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Couple biking on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf Shores, AL
    Bike-Sharing at Gulf State Park: Share the Trails, Share the Wheels
    Teen friends on Sail Wild Hearts in Orange Beach, AL
    Six Teen-Approved Things to Do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
    Waterville USA
    5 Thrilling Amusement Parks Gulf Shores Orange Beach
    All Blogs
  • Deals
    All Deals
Meetings
  • Home
    All Home
    • Plan Your Conference
    • How Can We Help
    • Why Our Beach
    • Services
    • FAQs
    • Getting Here
    • Restaurants
    • Things to Do
    • Calendar of Events
    All Plan Your Conference
    • All Meeting Spaces
    • Unique Meeting Spaces
    • Accommodations
    All Meeting Spaces
  • Reunions & Weddings
    All Reunions & Weddings
    • Meeting Planner Toolkit
    All Toolkit
    • Connect With Us
    • Submit RFP
    • Subscribe Today
    All Contact Us
  • Stories
    All Stories
Sports
    • All Events
    • Book>Direct
    • Perfect Game World Series
    • Gulf Shores High School
    • Beach Races
    • Orange Beach High School
    All Events & Special Rates
    • All Restaurant Sponsors
    • On-the-Go Dining
    All Restaurants
    • All Attraction Sponsors
    All Attractions
  • Business Sponsors
    All Business Sponsors
  • Facilities
    All Facilities
    • Facility Info
    • Leisure Events
    • Our Services
    • Planner Toolkit
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    All Bring Your Event
  • Sponsors
    All Sponsors
  • Stories
    All Stories

Why Fort Morgan is the Perfect Spot for a Homeschool History Lesson

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

April 22, 2020

The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama area might just be the perfect homeschool vacation or field trip destination. The area is known for its beaches and warm Gulf waters. This makes for awesome nature and marine studies. Did you know the Gulf Shoresand Orange Beach area is also known for its history?

While we love spending time on the beach, we also love exploring the area’s historical sites. Fort Morgan is one of our favorites.

The Past

History of Fort Morgan

Fort Morgan was completed in 1834 as part of the United States’ effort to better protect its coastlines. The role of the Fort Morgan was to protect the port of Mobile and its shipping channels, although it was not garrisoned until 1861 when southern troops seized it during the civil war.

In 1864, Fort Morgan was tested during the Battle of Mobile Bay. Union warships, in an attempt to enter and take Mobile Bay, took on heavy artillery fire from Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, which sits on the opposite side of the bay. That attack, plus the sea mines, or torpedoes, laid in the bay, nearly turned back the Union forces.

The Union ships were entering the bay when the USS Tecumseh was sunk by a torpedo. Panic and confusion went through the Union fleet. The commander of the lead ship stopped its engines. This is when the Union Admiral David Farragut was said to have uttered his famous quote “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!”

Admiral Farragut and the remaining Union fleet stormed their way successfully through the mines and into Mobile Bay defeating the rebel navy. During the coming days, Fort Morgan was also taken by Union forces.

Fort Morgan continued to be used by the U.S. military for various purposes until 1947, though it never saw another battle. In 1960, Fort Morgan was designated a historic landmark.

Battle of Mobile Bay boy
Historic Fort Morgan
Explore More

The Present

Fort Morgan Cannon

Visiting Fort Morgan

Sitting at the mouth of Mobile Bay, historic Fort Morgan is a must see on your trip to the Gulf Shores area. Considered by many to one of the best examples of military architecture in the new world, Fort Morgan’s star-shaped masonry structure is a wonder to behold.

When you visit Fort Morgan you can walk through remains of the Fort and imagine what life was like for the soldiers stationed there. You can see where the soldiers slept, where the cannons were mounted, and where the gun powder was kept.

There is a self guided tour brochure available at the fort and online. On our trip, we were able to get in on a guided tour led by a very knowledgeable guide dressed in Civil War period attire. He talked about the life of a solider at Fort Morgan at different times in its history.

To tour the Fort and the on-site museum, allow several hours. Add on a couple more hours if you want to take advantage of the other features of the Fort Morgan grounds. You can take advantage of the ¾ mile hiking trail and the small beach. Picnic areas are, also, available.

If you are a birder, take your binoculars. The American Bird Conservancy has listed Fort Morgan as one of the 100 globally important bird areas.

Fort Morgan kids

Other Historic Sites To Visit

Fort Gaines Historic Site – Take the Mobile Bay Ferry from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island and tour Fort Gaines. Tours and re-enactments take you back to the time of the Battle of Mobile Bay.

USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park – It’s a short drive from Gulf Shores, but so worth the trip! Many people hit this on the way in or out of the area. You can explore the 12 decks of the USS ALABAMA Battleship and climb aboard the submarine USS DRUM.

National Museum of Naval Aviation – See more than 190 restored aircraft within the 375,000 square feet facility. Admission is FREE!

Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum – Climb to the top of the Pensacola Lighthouse for gorgeous views of Pensacola Bay. Visit the museum for the history of the lighthouse and the Pensacola area.

Holmes Medical Museum – Find out how medicine has evolved from the early years of our country. The Holmes Medical Museum is located in nearby Foley and is credited as being the first hospital in south Baldwin County.

Icon of a hotel
Find Your Perfect Place to Stay
Places to Stay Search Lodging Options
icon of a guide
Where Your Journey Begins
Order a Vacation Guide Order a Free Vacation Guide
Email icon
News from the Coast
Subscribe to Our E-Newsletter Subscribe to Our Enewsletter

Share This

Marci Goodwin blogger
Marci Goodwin (1323 Posts)
Marci Goodwin's blog, The Homeschool Scientist, exists to equip and encourage homeschool parents by taking the fear out of and putting the fun into science education. Visit the website at…
  • https://facebook.com/TheHomeschoolScientist
  • https://twitter.com/HSScientist

You May Also Like

Gulf Shores Museum

Exploring the History of Alabama's Gulf Coast

Historic Fort Morgan

Explore the Life & History of the Alabama Gulf Coast During the Civil War

USS Alabama Battleship

Spend a Day Off the Beach in Historic Downtown Mobile

Bike along scenic paths

Gulf Coast Adventures Along the Scenic Byway

Weekend on Alabama's Coastal Connection

How to Spend a Weekend on Alabama's Coastal Connection

Winter on Alabama's Beaches

Your Winter Guide to Alabama’s Beaches

Order a Vacation Guide Subscribe to our Enewsletter
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Logo
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Trip Ideas
  • Press
  • Partners
  • Responsible Tourism
  • 1-800-745-SAND
  • [email protected]
  • Privacy Policy
  • Linking Policy
  • Employment Opportunities
Copyright 2022 Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. All rights reserved.
  • Subscribe to Enews
  • Vacation Guide
  • Chat With Us