Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

The War of 1812 opened the eyes of our nation and proved how vulnerable our coasts were to enemy attack.  Fourty forts were constructed by the U.S. Government between 1817 and 1865.  All the way from Maine to the Gulf Coast to California.

Fort Macon, named for Nathaniel Macon, began construction in 1826 and was completed in 1834.  In 1861, Fort Macon joined the Confederacy and remained a Confederate Fort for one year.  On April 26, 1862, Fort Macon was bombarded and reoccupied by Union Forces.

Following the war, Fort Macon served as a federal prison until 1876 when it returned to caretaker status.

During the Spanish-American war in 1898, Fort Macon was reactivated.  By 1903, Fort Macon was completely abandoned and all guns were sent to federal arsenals to be scrapped.  In 1924, Fort Macon was purchased by the state of North Carolina for $1.00, along with it's surrounding property and soon become North Carolina's second state park.  Yes, you read it right...$1.00. 

Fort Macon was restored by the Civilian Conservation corps between 1934 - 1936 and became a very popular tourist attraction until World War II when the park was occupied by Coast Artillery units, a deterrent to German U-Boats.  By 1946, Fort Macon became a state park again and today is the most visited state park in the state of North Carolina.

Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach is a great place to visit, again and again and again.  The history is fascinating and the atmosphere is almost too real...they have done an amazing job with the props, so visitors really get a feel for what it must of been like for the soldiers who called the fort "Home" so many years ago.

Fort Macon is open daily for touring and offers a museum, bookstore and audio programs.  April through October, they offer guided tours, Civil War Reenactments, Musket Firing Demonstrations, Canon Firing and a Living History Program.  During the summer months, the fort hosts concerts on Friday nights featuring such bands as "Unknown Tongues" (Cajun/Zydeco), "Mac & Tammy McRoy Band" (Bluegrass) and my personal favorite, "The Carteret Grays" (Civil War Era music).  There is usually a large crowd fo the concerts and it is so much fun!  Bring the kids, the camp chairs or picnic blanket, and even a picnic...you do not want to miss the concerts at the Fort.

Fort Macon State Park also includes a large beach area where visitors can fish or just relax in the sun.  There is a bathhouse and concession area located at the beach park. 

For more information about Fort Macon State Park or to get a schedule of Tours and other events, call (252) 726-3775.