Named after James Jackson, Old Fort Jackson is the oldest standing brick fort in Georgia. The beautifully preserved fort was built in 1808 and is located on the Savannah River to protect the city of Savannah. This National Historic Landmark is a must-see on your next trip to Savannah.
Visiting the Fort
You should plan to spend about an hour on your trip to the fort. Visitors can walk along the parapet of the fort and look at displays throughout the fort that tell the history of Old Fort Jackson. Additionally, there are employees walking around the fort who can answer all your questions about the history of Old Fort Jackson. You can also walk into most of the casemates which are small rooms in the walls of the fort where the guns were fired from. The casemates contain displays of powder magazines and the weapons and tools used in the fort as well as artifacts from the CSS Georgia, which is still at the bottom of the Savannah River just a few hundred yards from the fort.
Every day during the spring and summer, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. employees of the fort have a cannon-firing display where they set off the 9-inch Dahlgren cannon. This canon is the largest-functioning piece of pre-Civil War-era heavy artillery in the United States.
The fort is open every day of the week from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children. The fort is located on the Savannah River, so there is often a breeze, but it can get really hot in the summer, so it is a good idea to bring plenty of water with you. There are restrooms and a gift shop onsite.
This is a great location if you are traveling with kids because the fort's interesting history and interactive exhibits. There is also plenty of open space for your kids to run around and have fun. After you tour the fort you can walk along the Savannah River where you can spot dolphin and birds.
Explore Savannah on Your Vacation
If you are looking for a place to stay in Savannah or on Tybee Island, check out our vacation rentals. Our historic Savannah rentals are located nearby some of the city's best historical attractions and our Tybee Island rentals are just steps from the beach. For more information on our rentals, please contact us.