In southwestern Georgia, the Andersonville National Historic Site is home to the ghost town of Camp Sumter. Commonly referred to as Andersonville Prison, the 26.5-acre camp was one of the largest military prisons operating during the Civil War. Open for only 14 months, over 45,000 Union soldiers were confined at the prison, of which nearly 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition and overcrowding. Almost every artifact at the camp is original and has been preserved; only two sections of the stockade wall have been reconstructed. Today, visitors can explore the prison confinements and learn about the camp itself as well as its inmates. The historic site is also home to the National Prisoner of War Museum and the Andersonville National Cemetery.
Andersonville National Historic Site
496 Cemetery Rd.
Andersonville, GA 31711
(229) 924-0343
nps.gov
Located in Richmond Hill in central-east Georgia, Fort McAllister Historic Park is home to one of the best-preserved earthwork fortifications of the Confederate Army. The fort was built in 1861 to defend against naval attacks from Union ships. For three years the fort successfully defended numerous attacks by the Union Army. However, in 1864 the Fort was captured, in part by the Union's strategy of attacking the base from land and by water. After the Federal Army took command of the fort, it served as a prison for Confederate soldiers captured on the upper Georgia coast until the Civil War ended. In the 1930s, Henry Ford supplied funding to restore the Fort and today it is recognized by the state as a historic site. Visitors to the park can explore the earthwork fortifications and remaining cannons of the Fort on their own or on a guided tour. The park also features a Civil War Museum, and offers 65 campsites and three cottages for overnight stays.
Fort McAllister Historic Park
3894 Fort McAllister Rd.
Richmond Hill , GA 31324
(912) 727-2339
gastateparks.org
Located in Saint Simons Island on Georgia's southeastern coast, Fort Frederica National Monument is home to the historic Fort Frederica. The fort and surrounding town were built in 1736 to protect the British colony of Georgia from raids by the Spanish Armada. Almost 700 British troops where stationed at the fort and about 500 residents lived in the town. After 1749 the Spanish were no longer considered a threat and the fort was disbanded. Shortly after the town fell into economic turmoil and after a fire almost completely destroyed everything in 1758, the town was abandoned. In 1936 the Fort was declared a national monument and in 1947 excavation and archaeological investigations of the site began. Today visitors can go to the site and explore what is left of the Fort and town. Guests are encouraged to go on self-guided tours and explore historical buildings, such as the remains of the Fort Frederica barracks. The park also has a museum containing artifacts found during the Fort's excavation.
Fort Frederica National Monument
6515 Frederica Rd.
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
(912) 638-3639
nps.gov
