Fort Moultrie

Fort Moultrie is a coastal fortress on Sullivan's Island, about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and is run by the National Park Service. In 1776 an unfinished fort of palmetto logs under Colonel William Moultrie helped repel a British attack; it was named after him. In 1780 the British took Charleston nonetheless.

The present fort is the third on this spot and was finished in 1809. It was later expanded several times, until the nuclear age made old-style coastal forts obsolete. In the museum across the street a film of about 20 minutes explains the history, and an exhibit covers the island's role in the transatlantic slave trade. Fodor's suggests combining your visit with a bike ride past the island's century-old beach houses. Please check opening hours and admission before you go.