Have you ever wondered about an island shaped like a bent spur? That is Cockspur Island. It sits in the Savannah River’s south channel near Lazaretto Creek. Cockspur Island is northwest of Tybee Island. Most of it lies within Fort Pulaski National Monument.
Cockspur Island has a story reaching back centuries. It was once called Pepper Island and also Long Island. Its bent shape led to the name Cockspur. Cockspur Island’s strategic location made it important. It guards the mouth of the Savannah River.
Back in 1761, folks built a fort of earth and logs here. It stood near where the South Channel and Lazaretto Creek meet. This was Fort George. It protected the city entrances. It also enforced rules for quarantine and customs.
During the Revolutionary War, the Patriots took apart Fort George. Its location was too exposed. But the British found Cockspur a safe place for Loyalists. Royal Governor Sir James Wright even fled here. He brought the province’s great seal. For a short time, Cockspur became Georgia’s capital.
After the war, the U.S. built a new fort on the site of Fort George. This was in 1794 and 1795. It resembled Fort George. It was made of earth and log. They named it after Revolutionary War hero General Nathaniel Greene. But a hurricane swept it away in 1804.
Later, Fort Pulaski rose on Cockspur Island. Construction lasted from 1829 to 1847. Robert E. Lee, a young West Point graduate, helped with the work. Laborers included white and black people, both slave and free. They lived in a village nearby.
The Civil War arrived. Confederate troops seized Fort Pulaski in 1861. In 1862, Union troops bombarded and captured it. This cut off traffic to Savannah. The Union used rifled artillery. This marked the end of masonry fort construction.
After the Civil War, Fort Pulaski was neglected. In 1924, it became a national monument. The 1930s brought the Civilian Conservation Corps. They worked to fix up Fort Pulaski and the island.
Cockspur Island also played a role in World War II. It served as a section base for the U.S. Navy. Today, the National Park Service watches over the island. Visitors explore its marshland and the historic fort. They also discover local plants and animals.
Do not forget the Cockspur Island Lighthouse. It went through tough times. A hurricane destroyed it in 1854. It was rebuilt in 1855. The eastern side was shaped like a ship’s prow. This helped it withstand the water’s force.
During the Civil War, Union forces controlled Tybee Island. Confederates went to Fort Pulaski. The lighthouse light went out. In 1862, Union soldiers bombarded the fort. The lighthouse stood in the line of fire. Amazingly, it suffered little damage.
Now, as you stand on Cockspur Island, remember its layers of history. From early fortifications to Civil War battles, it has witnessed many changes. The island’s story continues to unfold with each passing tide.