History of Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

The war of 1812 demonstrated how vulnerable our young nation’s coasts were to enemy attack. Between 1817 and 1865, 38 permanent forts were built from Maine to the Gulf Coast and California. Fort Macon was constructed from 1826-1834. As a result of congressional economizing, it was garrisoned only in 1834-1836, 1842-44, 1848-49 and named after U.S. Senator Nathaniel Macon of North Carolina, who procured the funds to build the fort. A system of stone jetties was constructed in the 1840s to control erosion. More often it was occupied by a single caretaker.

Such a caretaker was living at the fort on April 14, 1861, when local militia, the Beaufort Harbor Guards, made an unauthorized demand for its surrender two days after the start of the Civil War. North Carolina joined the Confederacy in May and Fort Macon was a Confederate Fort for almost a year until April 26, 1862, when it was re-occupied by Union forces following a devastating April 25th bombardment. After the war, the Fort served as a military and civil prison from 1867-1876, then returned to caretaker status in 1877.

In 1898, Fort Macon was reactivated during the Spanish-American War, with black troops under the command of black officers on the alert for a Spanish naval attack.

By 1909, the Fort was abandoned. In 1924, it was sold for $1 to the State of North Carolina, along with its surrounding reservation, becoming the state’s second public park. In 1934-35, it was restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps and was a well-visited park until the onset of WWII. From 1941-44 the fort was occupied by Coast Artillery Units, which was a deterrent to German U-boats who preyed upon Allied shipping offshore.

Since 1946, Fort Macon has again become a state park and today has well over a million visitors each year. Admission is free.

Almost daily boat trips depart from Atlantic Beach, NC from April through September by H2O Captain Eco-Tour Private Boat Excursions pass this iconic fort at the eastern end of Atlantic Beach, adjacent to USCG Station Ft. Macon. Captain Mark of this company is a Lifetime Member of the Friends of Fort Macon.

Excerpts above were from www.friendsoffortmacon.org 

The Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks in the Southern Outer Banks, Crystal Coast, North Carolina

Q: Are they ponies or horses?
A: They are small and powerful horses. When fully grown, they range in height from 11 to 13 hands (a hand = 4”).
• They are genetically closer to the other Atlantic coast wild horses in the Outer Banks than to domestic breeds such as Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds.

Best of all, watching these horses in the wild is both a blessing and a gift. Although there is never a guarantee that you will see them, H2O Captain Eco-Tour Private Boat Excursions, which departs from Morehead City, NC will take you on various areas spanning the width of Shackleford Banks for a greater opportunity.

FAQs

Q.  How many hours is the BWB...Repeat Private Excursion?  THE tour to see the wild horses!
A.  The duration of the tour depends on if we run into a pod of dolphins, if a horse is blocking our path, or the shelling is extremely terric.  There are some ways we can make up some of the time should we be running late.  The textbook time is 4 hours.

Q.  Am I in good enough physical shape to handle the walk on the island?
A.  The walk can be as long or as short as you prefer; we do not wish to put anybody out of their comfort zone.  That said, we’ve had 4-year-olds to a 94-year-old walk the various horse trails on Shackleford.  To arrive at the most promising shelling area is approximately ½ mile from where the boat will be anchored.

Q.  What is the best time of year to enjoy the beautiful waters and Shackleford Banks?
A.  Locals will inform you that the best times to be on the water are during April and May, as well as September and October, when it is neither too warm nor too humid.  The wild horses remain on the island all year long.

Q.  Do I need previous boating experience to take any of the ecotour private boat excursions?
A.  No previous boating experience is necessary, but good physical fitness and preparation may be of assistance.  Seasickness is not an issue as you are in an open boat the entire time.

Q.  What are the risks of being out on the water?

A.    The main risks include high winds, high waves, and extreme weather conditions.  100-Ton Master Captain Mark constantly monitors the conditions, and one of his mottos is “safety first.”  Hence, he may either delay or move up your excursion, recommend a different destination on your reserved day, or he may postpone to another day

Q.  Can I drive my car to Shackleford Banks or to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse
A.  No, you can only access these barrier islands by boat. Plus, it is highly recommended to visit these beautiful locations with an authorized National Park Service registered guide for safety and conservation reasons.

For a well-prepared day’s adventure, explore the following topics on our site:

Checklist for your private excursion

The Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks

Additional FAQs

Photo:  by Steve W., a passenger on an H2O Captain BWB...Repeat / Wild Horses & Great Shelling Private Boat Excursion

Sailing To A Barrier Island For A Wild Horse Encounter, by Guest Blogger Niki Forrest