While we were in Fernandina Beach for Amelia Island Restaurant Week, we stopped in to explore Fort Clinch State Park. I did not get a picture of the entrance, but the main road inside the park is a beautiful road, and I stopped frequently to take pictures of the Spanish Moss hanging in the oak trees along the way. I think I must have at least thirty pictures that look just like that one up there.
Fort Clinch, an actual working fort during the Civil War, was established in 1842, when the United States government purchased a tract of land on the northern end of Amelia Island at the Florida-Georgia border. The military installation was to be built on the property to guard the mouth of the St. Mary’s River, and protect the interior shipping.
Construction began on the fort in 1847 and progressed slowly. So slowly, in fact that by 1860 only two bastions and one third of the brick wall was completed. At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, Confederate militia quietly took over the fort. However, with the Union Army advancing, General Robert E Lee authorized a withdrawal of the area. On March 3, 1862, Union troops took over control of the fort.
Fort Clinch was deactivated as a federal facility in 1867. The US Army maintained the property from 1869 until 1898, when the sinking of the USS Maine in the Havana Harbor brought the US into war with Spain, and brought Fort Clinch into action again.
That does not look like a comfortable place to be, in chains on dirty brick floor. The prison was in the same building as the barracks above.
I love these old buildings. This one reminds me of one of the older classroom buildings on the campus of the University of Alabama where my daughter went to school. I
Fort Clinch was called into service one last time during World War II, when the Coast Guard, the US Navy, and the US Army joined forces to maintain a surveillance system within the fort.
There is a fee of $2.00 per person to tour the fort, but it is well worth it! There is access to nearly all the building, and a volunteer in dressed in the 1848 style of uniform who will talk to you about the history, or give your group a tour.
In addition to the actual fort, there are many hiking trails, bicycle trails, rental bikes, geo cacheing, fishing, picnic areas, and camping areas. There is a pier as well. We didn’t go on the pier because it was a cold day.
We did take a drive through the Atlantic Campground, and took a few pictures. There are campsites available for most any size RV, tents, and group camping areas. I have no idea why we never came here with our RV–the campsites look amazing, and have immediate beach access just over the dunes.
Fees at Fort Clinch are quite reasonable, with entry fee at $6.00 per car and camping $26 per night includes water and electricity. For Reservations: Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book Online or call (800) 326-3521 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287.
We enjoyed our tour of Fort Clinch, and can’t wait for an opportunity to go back when it’s warmer and get some fishing done on the pier.
@SensiblySara says
February 3, 2014 at 8:57 pmHistory stuff is my thing! I would LOVE to visit this place!!
Karen says
February 3, 2014 at 11:34 pmit is a gorgeous history site, I hope you get to visit there.
kidsumers says
February 3, 2014 at 9:23 pmThat looks fabulous. Your pictures are great Karen.
Sandra Sears says
February 3, 2014 at 9:27 pmThese photos look awesome and really makes me want to visit.
Annie Shultz (@MamaDweeb) says
February 3, 2014 at 9:27 pmYou had wonderful weather! What beautiful pictures!! Sure makes me want to visit 🙂
gabbyhomemaker says
February 3, 2014 at 9:27 pmGreat pics! Your state park is way better than mine LOL Our’s seems so boring and plain now 😛
Jennifer W. says
February 3, 2014 at 9:27 pmHow fascinating! I had no idea that anything like this was there.
Karen says
February 3, 2014 at 11:43 pmMy husband and I have always sought out the hidden places to see in every place we have been. You never know what juicy travel tidbit you will find when you just open your eyes and look.
Stephanie says
February 3, 2014 at 9:27 pmYou can tell men were in charge of decorating the quarters. 🙂 – they look a lot like the concentration camps in Germany cells, except about 5 people would be on a bunk, esthetically the same though – depressing, functional…
Great pics though, you really get a feel for the place!
Karen says
February 3, 2014 at 11:42 pmYes, I was thinking the whole time I was looking at those bunks that it must have been highly uncomfortable. I would have slept on the beach.
Katrina says
February 3, 2014 at 9:28 pmThank you for the photos and the mini history lesson. It is so fascinating.
SavvyMomNYC - Ker (@SavvyMomNYC) says
February 3, 2014 at 9:28 pmLooks like you are having an amazing time. Your pictures are telling a great story of your experience!
Karen says
February 3, 2014 at 11:41 pmthanks. We LOVED it there. I wanna go back already.
LyndaS says
February 3, 2014 at 9:28 pmFirst of all – ROLL TIDE! Those pictures make me want to go there – like yesterday. I love to visit historical sites.
Karen says
February 3, 2014 at 11:40 pmYes, Roll Tide! don’t wait to go, it’s not that far and so beautiful!
Jenni says
February 3, 2014 at 9:29 pmLooks like you had a beautiful day! The clouds look absolutely amazing.
Glad you had a great time 🙂
Karen says
February 3, 2014 at 11:38 pmThat day was absolutely perfect–except for it being about 40 degrees!
Nikki says
February 3, 2014 at 9:41 pmI love historical places like that! I think I’ll have to keep this in mind for when the kids are a little older.
Karen says
February 3, 2014 at 11:37 pmYour children would love Amelia Island, I took mine every year for about 8 year. The ocean and beach are so quite there.
Kira says
February 3, 2014 at 10:50 pmWow so much to learn, thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Karen says
February 3, 2014 at 11:36 pmyou are welcome! I loved touring the fort.
Karen says
February 3, 2014 at 11:35 pmThank you! I tried to get some good one.
Stephanie says
February 4, 2014 at 10:54 amI have been waiting to see how your trip to Amelia Island went! Im so glad you got to visit Fort Clinch (its one of our favorite local places to visit). It looks like you guys really enjoyed it!
Kelly Renner Stilwell says
February 5, 2014 at 1:08 pmI’ve got to put this on my list! Can’t believe I haven’t been there!
Henrietta says
February 5, 2014 at 1:08 pmThis is awesomeness, exactly the kind of place Chris and I would have fun visiting! I love the photos, so pretty!
MommyJenna says
February 15, 2014 at 3:44 pmGorgeous pictures!