Skip to main content
  • Visitors
  • Meetings
  • Sports
Visitors
  • All Places to Stay
    • Beach Houses
    • Condos
    • Resorts
    • Hotels
    • Cabins
    • RV Parks & Camping
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    Gulf Shores Beach
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Luxury RV Resort Gulf Shores
    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 Things to Do
    • 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 & Foil Boarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Fat Daddy's Arcade Gulf Shores
    21 Rainy Day Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities 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 Events
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    • Snowbird Events
    Red White Blue Gulf Shores Orange Beach
    Holiday Events
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
  • All Restaurants
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    Best Fine Dining Restaurants on Alabama’s Beaches
    Papa Rocco's Gulf Shores
    12 Restaurants Locals Love On Alabama’s Beaches
    Voyagers Restaurant Orange Beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
  • All Planning Tools
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Guides
    • 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
    • Photographers
    Family Vacation Gulf Shores
    10 Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Vacation
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
  • All Blogs
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Bike Share Program Gulf State Park
    10 Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Paddle boarding Orange Beach
    10 Things to do with Teens in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    The Track Bumper Boats Gulf Shores
    Thrilling Amusement Parks in Gulf Shores Orange Beach
  • Deals
    All Deals
Visitors
  • All Places to Stay
    • Beach Houses
    • Condos
    • Resorts
    • Hotels
    • Cabins
    • RV Parks & Camping
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    Gulf Shores Beach
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Luxury RV Resort Gulf Shores
    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 Things to Do
    • 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 & Foil Boarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Fat Daddy's Arcade Gulf Shores
    21 Rainy Day Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities 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 Events
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    • Snowbird Events
    Red White Blue Gulf Shores Orange Beach
    Holiday Events
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
  • All Restaurants
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    Best Fine Dining Restaurants on Alabama’s Beaches
    Papa Rocco's Gulf Shores
    12 Restaurants Locals Love On Alabama’s Beaches
    Voyagers Restaurant Orange Beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
  • All Planning Tools
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Guides
    • 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
    • Photographers
    Family Vacation Gulf Shores
    10 Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Vacation
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
  • All Blogs
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Bike Share Program Gulf State Park
    10 Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Paddle boarding Orange Beach
    10 Things to do with Teens in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    The Track Bumper Boats Gulf Shores
    Thrilling Amusement Parks in Gulf Shores Orange Beach
  • 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
    • Future Sports Tourism Development
    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 Free 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

See All Blog Posts
Gulf State Park Nature Center

Plan a Homeschool Vacation on Alabama’s Beaches

Historic Fort Morgan

Exploring the History of Alabama's Gulf Coast

Historic Fort Morgan

Discover 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

Bon Secour Fort Morgan

Explore Coastal Alabama on the Scenic Byway

Historic Fort Morgan

10 Tips for Planning a Homeschool Vacation

Order a Vacation Guide Subscribe to our Enewsletter
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Logo
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tik-Tok
  • Trip Ideas
  • Press
  • Partners
  • Responsible Tourism
  • 1-800-745-SAND
  • [email protected]
  • Privacy Policy
  • Employment Opportunities
Copyright 2023 Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. All rights reserved.
  • Subscribe to Enews
  • Vacation Guide
  • Chat With Us