Near Tybee Island in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

North Pier Trail

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019

1. North Pier Trail Marker

Inscription. Cockspur Island has changed tremendously in the last 200 years. Before the early 1800s, the island was mainly a salty grass marsh with a few, forested bits of dry land. With the US Army's decision to construct a fort here, they cut down trees to create a clear view of approaching ships or enemy forces.

The army prevented trees from growing on the island while they occupied Fort Pulaski. After the military abandoned the fort in the late 1880s, tons of sand and silt dredged from the Savannah River were heaped on the Cockspur Island shoreline. Trees and brush grew on this higher ground and the maritime forest you see before you began to emerge.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 32° 1.712′ N, 80° 53.546′ W. Marker is near Tybee Island, Georgia, in Chatham County. Marker can be reached from Fort Pulaski Road, one mile north of U.S. 80, on the left. Marker is located at Fort Pulaski National Monument, beside the walkway at the northwest corner of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tybee Island GA 31328, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker. John Wesley (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Wesley Landing Site (about 400 feet away); Cockspur Island Lighthouse (about 400 feet away); A Bustling Village (about 400 feet away); The Waving Girl (about 400 feet away); Cisterns of the Construction Village (about 400 feet away); Final Resting Place (about 400 feet away); Burial Sites of Immortal 600 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tybee Island.

Marker detail: Trail photograph image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Trail photograph

In the 1930s, the path before you lacked the shade now provided by the dense canopy.

Marker detail: Cockspur Island map image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Cockspur Island map

North Pier Trail Marker (<i>wide view • looking north</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019

4. North Pier Trail Marker (wide view • looking north)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 23, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.