Fort Morgan Ghost Stories
Fort Morgan stands as a historical monument and a site of paranormal intrigue. Built between 1819 and 1833, this masonry fort has witnessed the tumult of several wars. This includes the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II.
History of Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan is a historic masonry star fort that has played a significant role in American history, particularly during the Civil War era. It is located at the mouth of Mobile Bay in Alabama and has been a guardian of the bay since its completion in the 19th century.
The fort’s strategic design, a star shape, allowed for a heavy concentration of artillery fire on enemy fleets approaching Mobile Bay. However, advancements in rifled artillery and steam-powered warships during the Civil War rendered masonry fortifications like Fort Morgan obsolete. Despite this, the fort played a significant role in the Battle of Mobile Bay and remained in use for military purposes until 1946.
Construction and Early History
The construction of Fort Morgan began in 1819, following the War of 1812, as part of the United States’ efforts to strengthen its coastal defenses. The fort was built on the site of the earlier Fort Bowyer, which had been constructed during the War of 1812 to protect against British attacks. The building process took 16 years to complete, with many of the skilled masons, including enslaved African Americans, falling ill due to the isolated and challenging conditions. The fort was finally completed in 1834.
Civil War Era
During the Civil War, Colonel John B. Todd took command of Fort Morgan to secure the Gulf of Mexico from invading forces. Subsequently, the state of Alabama seized the fort and turned it over to the Confederate Army in early 1861, establishing it as a pivotal defensive station throughout the war. Despite the Confederate Army’s efforts to defend the fort, Union naval forces eventually captured it towards the end of the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864.
Post-Civil War and World War II
After the Civil War, Fort Morgan saw limited use and underwent five battery installations. It was refortified in 1895 and between 1900 and 1923, it was the largest permanent military installation in Alabama. The fort was ordered closed and abandoned in 1923 but was called into use again during World War II. Units from the 50th Coast Artillery Regiment renewed their defenses at Fort Morgan and remained there until the fort was officially closed in 1944.
National Historic Landmark
Fort Morgan became a National Historic Landmark in 1960, recognized as one of the finest examples of military architecture in the New World. The fort is now open to the public as a historic site and tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors each year and hosting living history events throughout the summer months.
Paranormal Sightings and Stories
Fort Morgan is renowned for its ghostly phenomena. Visitors have reported strange mists, shadow figures, unusual noises, and a sudden feeling of dread, often followed by the apparition of an unknown man. Some have even captured photographic evidence of spectral soldiers and faces where no living person was present.
The old barracks, notorious for the sounds of crying heard during the late night hours, once housed a prisoner who committed suicide in 1917. Additionally, the screams of men killed by a bomb explosion during the Civil War reportedly echo at night. Furthermore, a young woman’s ghost, a victim of an attack in the 19th century, is believed to wander the fort in search of her assailant.
The Blood-Stained Step and Other Legends
Legends abound at Fort Morgan, including the tale of a blood-stained step resulting from a gruesome decapitation caused by a cannon malfunction. Although a geologist has debunked the blood stain as natural discoloration, the story adds to the fort’s mystique .
Fort Morgan After Dark
For those intrigued by the supernatural, Fort Morgan offers ghost investigations and historical haunted tours, providing an opportunity to explore one of Alabama’s most haunted places after dark.
Check this link for more details: Fort Morgan Tours
Conclusion
Fort Morgan is a site where history and legend intertwine, captivating visitors with tales of bravery, tragedy, and the unexplained. Whether it’s the architectural eeriness of its star-shaped design or the chilling stories of its spectral residents, Fort Morgan remains a testament to Alabama’s rich and haunting past.
References
- Fort Morgan – Alabama Haunted Houses (2023-06-27)
- Fort Morgan After Dark Ghost Investigation and Historical Haunted Tour – Coast360 (2022-09-24)
- The Ghost of Fort Morgan – Grasping for Objectivity (2016-09-21)
- History of Fort Morgan – Alabama Historical Commission
- Absolutely Alabama: The History Behind Ft. Morgan – WXTX (2014-05-27)
- Fort Morgan Property Management. (2020-08-13). The History Behind Fort Morgan, Alabama. Retrieved from https://www.fortmorganpropertymanagement.com/the-history-behind-fort-morgan-alabama/
- Condo Investment. The History of Fort Morgan in Gulf Shores Alabama. Retrieved from https://www.condoinvestment.com/blog/the-history-of-fort-morgan.html
- Alabama Historical Commission. Fort Morgan. Retrieved from https://ahc.alabama.gov/properties/ftmorgan/ftmorgan.aspx
- Legends of America. Fort Morgan, Colorado – Legends of America. Retrieved from https://www.legendsofamerica.com/fort-morgan/
- Wikipedia. Fort Morgan (Colorado). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Morgan_(Colorado)
- City of Fort Morgan. About the Area | Fort Morgan, CO. Retrieved from https://www.cityoffortmorgan.com/248/About-the-Area
