Historic site
Fort Howell
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Fort Howell is a historic earthwork fortification built in 1864 by the 32nd and 144th United States Colored Troops during the Union occupation of Hilton Head Island. The fort was designed to protect the strategically important Mitchellville settlement, a freedmen's town. Today, visitors can walk along the earthen ramparts and interpretive trails, seeing the original contours and gun emplacements. The site provides a quiet, reflective experience, with informational panels detailing the fort's construction and the role of African American soldiers. It's a distinctive destination for those interested in Civil War history and the legacy of the USCT.
Don't miss
- Explore the well-preserved earthen walls and gun platforms that show the fort's original layout.
- Read interpretive signs detailing the fort's construction by the United States Colored Troops.
- Visit the adjacent Mitchellville Freedom Park to learn about the first self-governed freedmen's town in the US.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Fort Howell
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
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