Fort Gaines, Georgia - History on the Chattahoochee

This is a photograph of a Confederate cannon at Fort Gaines, Georgia, framed by Spanish moss and still located in its original battery more than 140 years after the end of the Civil War.

Fort Gaines was the site of three different forts during the 19th century. The first fort, a square log stockade with two blockhouses, was built by the U.S. Army in 1816. The second fort, built during the Creek War of 1836, was held by Georgia militia forces for a few months. The third fort, built by Confederate forces, was occupied until the end of the Civil War.

One of the batteries of the Confederate fort is very well-preserved and the cannon in place there is an original, left behind and forgotten at the end of the war.

In addition to its military history, Fort Gaines offers a wide variety of historic sites and is a charming small town deeply imbedded in the frontier history of Georgia. If you would like to learn more about this fascinating community, please visit our new Fort Gaines, Georgia pages at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortgaines.