Fort Gaines Historic Site

11/02/2026

This Saturday November 7, 2026.

10/18/2026

We will finally have our truth told soon.....It will be available in November!

10/18/2026

Don't forget!

10/17/2026

😢

10/17/2026

THE FALL FESTIVAL HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO THE HIGH WINDS!!!!!

THE EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO THE HIGH WINDS!
Don't forget this Saturday that there will be a Fall Fundraiser for the Fort! Maggie May and her volunteers do a wonderful event!

10/13/2026

THE EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO THE HIGH WINDS!
Don't forget this Saturday that there will be a Fall Fundraiser for the Fort! Maggie May and her volunteers do a wonderful event!

10/12/2026

Did you know the origin Columbus Day?

Columbus Day commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492, and evolved from early 18th-century local commemorations into an official U.S. holiday championed by Italian-American and Catholic communities.

• First 1792 Celebration: The earliest recorded U.S. observance happened on October 12, 1792, when the Columbian Order of New York (Tammany Society) held an event marking the 300th anniversary of the landing.
• 400th Anniversary Proclamation (1892): President Benjamin Harrison issued a national proclamation for the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival, partly prompted by a violent anti-Italian mass lynching in New Orleans in 1891 to ease tensions with Italian Americans.
• Federal Holiday Status (1934/1937): Following lobbying by groups like the Knights of Columbus, Congress passed a joint resolution in 1934 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed it an annual national holiday.
• Uniform Monday Holiday Act (1968): President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a law in 1968 (taking effect in 1971) shifting the federal observance to the second Monday of October.
• Modern Controversy and Shift: Because Columbus's arrival triggered widespread colonization, violence, and disease among Indigenous populations, many states and cities now supplement or replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day.

The Strange Story of How Columbus Day Commemorations began.
This year Columbus Day falls on 12 October, I am sure you are familiar with the arguments about weather or not Columbus should be celebrated but do you know the origin of the day?
It all begins in in October 1890 when David Hennessey the New Orleans Chief of Police is murdered. Shot on his way home from work he does not die immediately and when asked who shot him he says simply the "D***s". In response the police department arrests dozens of local Italians. Eventually in March of 1891 19 men are accused and put on trial. On the day after the trial of 9 of the men ends with the acquittal of 6 and mistrial for 3 others a mob of New Orleans citizens storms the prison and lynches 11 of the men.
The largest single lynching in United States history.
There were international repercussions Italy recalled there ambassador and broke off diplomatic relations for over a year until President Benjamin Harrison agreed to pay reparations to the families of the murdered men.
As a part of the wider appeasement effort Harrison also declared the first nation wide celebration of Columbus Day in 1892 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the explorers landing in the New World.
Although it continued to be celebrated Columbus Day did not become an annual federal holiday until 1971.
Just another example of how complex history can be.

10/11/2026

Don't forget that the concert was canceled....

THE CONCERT HAS BEEN CANCELED!
STAY SAFE!

Check it out! Eric Erdman will be at Fort Gaines for the final sunset concert of the year on October 11th, 2026 at 4:30pm. It's $5.00 for 13 and up. Bring a chair and enjoy an awesome evening!

10/06/2026

We are accepting applications for a full- time and part-time position at Fort Gaines Historic Site. Go online at Town of Dauphin Island to apply, and just click on and in the search type job application and click on Fort Gaines.

10/04/2026

THE CONCERT HAS BEEN CANCELED!
STAY SAFE!

Check it out! Eric Erdman will be at Fort Gaines for the final sunset concert of the year on October 11th, 2026 at 4:30pm. It's $5.00 for 13 and up. Bring a chair and enjoy an awesome evening!