This cannon is a replica of a 30-pounder Parrott Rifle, one of the most widely used siege cannons in the War Between the States. Invented by Robert P. Parrott in 1861, the 30-pounder Parrott Rifle quickly became one of the Union Army’s standard . . . — — Map (db m77064) HM
In order to promote safe navigation of shipping through Beaufort Inlet past numerous shoals and sand bars, the US Lighthouse Board established the Bogue Banks Lighthouse and a navigational beacon on the eastern end of Bogue Banks near Fort Macon . . . — — Map (db m77086) HM
Early in the War Between the States, Confederate soldiers at Fort Macon obtained a large number of cannons from the Gosport Navy yard at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1861 to defend the fort. Among these were six 32-pounder carronades, which were stubby . . . — — Map (db m225891) HM
This cistern, built in 1897, collected and stored drinking water for Fort Macon's caretaker. Cisterns such as this one have been used by coastal residents for years. Moisture and rain shed from the roof through pipes into the cistern, where it could . . . — — Map (db m31457) HM
This fort, guarding the entrance to Beaufort Harbor, was built between 1826 and 1834 as one of a series of seacoast fortifications for national defense. Local secessionist militia forces seized the fort on April 14, 1861, at the outbreak of the . . . — — Map (db m31451) HM
Built by U.S. Corps of Engineers, 1826-34. Good example of brick fort. Seized by Confederates, April 14, 1861. Scene of battle, April 25, 1862. — — Map (db m31278) HM
Fort Macon Life-Saving Station
In 1903, the US War Department approved a request from the US Treasury Department to establish a US Life-Saving Service station on the Fort Macon Military Reservation. In 1904 a wood frame hip-roofed station . . . — — Map (db m77083) HM
Fort Macon became a state park in 1924. At that time, the fort was all that remained of the military post. All other traces of the Army’s presence from the 19th century were gone.
The fort itself, and a US Lifesaving Service (later Coast Guard) . . . — — Map (db m77072) HM
In March 1862, Union Gen. John G. Parke’s brigade of Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside’ Coastal Division advanced from New Bern to capture Beaufort Harbor and Fort Macon. During March 22-26, Parke’s forces took possession of Carolina City, Morehead City . . . — — Map (db m77046) HM
Welcome to Hoop Pole Creek
Hoop Pole Creek is one of the last remaining natural refuges for fish, wildlife and plant life in Atlantic Beach, NC. This 31-acre property was purchased by the NC Coastal Federation in 1997 through a grant from . . . — — Map (db m77047) HM
This replica Hot Shot Furnace stands on the foundation of Fort Macon's original Hot Shot Furnace, built in 1836. Hot Shot Furnaces were used in forts to heat non-explosive cannonballs red hot for use against the unarmored wooden enemy warships of . . . — — Map (db m31502) HM
Smallest caliber cannon used in the War Between the States. Several of these were used as secondary armament in Fort Macon during 1834-1861 to defend vulnerable areas against assaults.
Weight of Bronze Barrel ........887 Pounds
Weight of Gun . . . — — Map (db m31501) HM
This cannon is a replica of a smoothbore Model 1841 Navy 32-pounder which stood here during the War Between the States. Cannons of this caliber comprised almost half of Ft. Macon's armament. The 32-pounder is so named because it fired round iron . . . — — Map (db m31535) HM
These are the only known surviving cannons of Fort Macon's original armament. Used in the fort 1862 to 1902. Similar to mortars used by the Union Army against the fort in the 1862 bombardment. Weight of Barrel .......................... 1968 Pounds . . . — — Map (db m31490) HM
This cannon is an original Model 1917A1 155 mm GPF, which was the standard long-range mobile field artillery piece for the US Army from 1917 through World War II. The 155 mm GPF was a direct copy of the French army's "Canon de 155 mm Grande . . . — — Map (db m225886) HM
This cannon is an original Model 1917A1 155 mm GPF, which was the standard long-range mobile field artillery piece for the US Army from 1917 through World War II. The 155 mm GPF was a direct copy of the French army's "Canon de 155 mm Grande . . . — — Map (db m225888) HM
The earthen mound in front of you was built to shield a battery of two 10-inch siege mortars mounted here in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. The underground gallery below was made into a magazine to store ammunition for the mortar battery. — — Map (db m31575) HM
Following the end of the War Between the States Fort Macon returned to its peacetime status as one of the US Army’s military posts. During the last half of the 1860s a lack of suitable quarters for officers and their families became a serious . . . — — Map (db m77070) HM
This cannon is a replica of a rifled Model 1841 Navy 32-pounder which stood here in the War Between the States. The cannon was originally a smoothbore 32-pounder and fired a round 32-pound cannonball. In October, 1861, Confederate soldiers converted . . . — — Map (db m31536) HM
If you could go back in time to the years of the last half of the Nineteenth Century you would find this area looked quite a bit different than it does today. The area around Fort Macon was cleared of any vegetation. The fort itself was only one . . . — — Map (db m77065) HM
Fort Macon was constructed between 1826 and 1834. This fort was used in the War Between the States (1861-1865), the Spanish American War (1898) and World War II (1941-1945). Fort Macon also served as a military prison from 1862-1877. Fort Macon was . . . — — Map (db m31479) HM
This steel beam was recovered from
Ground Zero and donated by
the Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey to
the Atlantic Beach Fire Department
Dedicated to Honor and Remember
those who lost their lives on
September 11, . . . — — Map (db m225752) WM
A Military City
During World War II (1941-1945) the US Army occupied Fort Macon once again for military defense. Although some soldiers lived and worked inside the fort itself, the area outside the fort once again came to life as a small . . . — — Map (db m77073) HM
(right panel)
Harbor Defenses of Beaufort Inlet, 1941-1944
When the United States entered World War II, the U.S. Army established the “Harbor Defenses of Beaufort Inlet.” Its purpose was to defend the entrance to Beaufort Inlet, . . . — — Map (db m225756) HM
When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, US Coast Artillery troops occupied Fort Macon State Park for the defense of strategic points in the Beaufort Inlet-Cape Lookout area.
In the sand dunes southwest of the fort, . . . — — Map (db m77074) HM
