A getaway weekend with a history lesson. This week we're traveling to Atlantic Beach North Carolina, at the Eastern end of Bogue Banks, to visit Fort Macon - an old military fort where once General Robert E Lee was stationed as a junior officer. Built in 1826-1834 this fort is a pentagon-shaped fortress and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The scene of an significant Civil War Battle while occupied by Confederate troops, the fort was under a Union artillery siege from March 23 - April 26, 1862. Its fall into Union hands gave the Northern forces complete control of the entire North Carolina coast. It was re-garrisoned during the Spanish-American War and again during World War II.
Now Fort Macon is a 398 acre state park, one of the most poplar in the United States. Swimming, fishing, nature programs and trails, guided tours of the fort, a museum with numerous exhibits and audio-visual displays are some of the activities available. The old Fort Macon Life Boat Station, where history was made again as late as 1990 when the U. S. Coast Guard named a woman to its command, is adjacent to the state park.
http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/foma/main.php
The fort makes for a great day trip with lots of history to absorb - When leaving make sure you stop by one of the local eateries listed below. Guaranteed to also make history.
• The Big Oak Drive-In pit cooks Eastern NC Bar-B-Q each day and is located only
minutes from the fort going north on Hwy 58 towards Salter Path NC.
• My favorite evening dining spot, The Island Grill - offers an unbelievable 2 for 1
special on Tuesday nights ( Fillet with sundried tomatoes or fresh tuna, caught each day )
You'll see the sign on your left - roughly 1 mile from the fort as you head back towards
Atlantic Beach.
http://www.bigoakdrivein.com/
http://islandgrillerestaurant.com/page/1478-Home
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