Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island Travel Guide

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Explore a historic Civil War fort on Dauphin Island with stunning views, original cannons, and fascinating stories of the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Explore historic Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island, a well-preserved 19th-century fort that played a crucial role in the Battle of Mobile Bay. See original cannons, a blacksmith shop, and more, while enjoying panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico [3, 4].

A brief summary to Fort Gaines

51 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, Alabama, 36528, US
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Monday 9 am-5 pm
Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
Thursday 9 am-5 pm
Friday 9 am-5 pm
Saturday 9 am-5 pm
Sunday 9 am-5 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Fort Gaines.

Check the event schedule for living history demonstrations, cannon firings, and other special activities [3, 4, 14].
Bring a camera to capture the panoramic views of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico [4, 8].
Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven surfaces and exploring the fort's grounds [8].
Visit the museum and gift shop to learn more about the fort's history and find unique souvenirs [3, 7, 10].

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Explore Fort Gaines on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Fort Gaines, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

From central Dauphin Island, head east on Bienville Boulevard. Fort Gaines is located at the very end of the road on the eastern tip of the island [3, 11]. Parking is available at the fort, with daily fees applicable from 8 AM to 7 PM [17, 18]. From April 1 through Labor Day, the fee is $10, and from post-Labor Day through March 31, the fee is $5 [18]. You can pay for parking using the ParkMobile app, zone 95202 [17, 21, 25].
Taxi/Ride-Share

Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are available on Dauphin Island [5, 28, 29]. From anywhere on Dauphin Island, a taxi to Fort Gaines will cost approximately $10-$20, depending on the distance [5]. UberX rates in Mobile, AL, start with a $1.50 initial fare, $1.21 per mile, and $0.15 per minute, with a minimum fare of $6.05 [27]. Be aware that pick-up times may be longer than usual [28].

Discover more about Fort Gaines

Fort Gaines, located on the eastern tip of Dauphin Island, Alabama, has guarded the entrance to Mobile Bay for over 150 years [4, 15]. Established in 1821 and completed in 1861, the fort is named after General Edmund Pendleton Gaines, a War of 1812 hero [3, 7, 8]. It is best known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War, where Admiral David Farragut famously commanded, "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" [3, 4, 7, 8, 13].Visitors can explore the well-preserved ramparts, original cannons, five pre-Civil War brick buildings, an operational blacksmith shop, kitchens, a museum, and tunnels [3, 4, 7]. See the anchor of the USS Hartford, Farragut's flagship, and learn about the fort's history, including the French colonial presence [3, 7]. Guided tours, often led by experts in period costumes, include cannon and blacksmithing demonstrations [3, 4, 14].Designated as one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites due to shoreline erosion, Fort Gaines stands as a testament to the past [4, 7, 8, 10]. The fort offers a glimpse into 19th-century military life and the strategic importance of Mobile Bay [3, 4, 13]. Special events, such as living history demonstrations and the Native American Experience, bring the fort's history to life [3, 11, 13, 14, 19].