During the Civil War, the Gulf Islands became an important part of the national defense system. Fort Gaines, on the eastern part of Dauphin Island, and Fort Morgan, on the westernmost tip of Pleasure Island, guarded the only water route to Mobile. The Confederacy used mines to keep Union forces out of Mobile Bay. A two-week siege followed, with the North emerging triumphant and capturing one of the South's most significant ports. Construction on the five-sided Fort Gaines began in 1821.
Intricate brickwork shows much detail.
Fort Gaines is now a museum that features barracks, a blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, kitchen and mess hall. A ferry provides service to Fort Morgan, a trip sometimes accompanied by frolicking dolphins. Fort Morgan is a star-shaped brick fort which replaced an earlier sand and log fort. It was constructed in 1819. The naval battle is held on Saturday, and the land battle is held on Sunday.