Read more about the article Fort Pulaski National Monument – Savannah, GA

Fort Pulaski National Monument – Savannah, GA

On our recent trip to Savannah, we stayed on Tybee Island. Along the 17-mile drive between the two, we passed the gates to Fort Pulaski National Monument. We decided to visit after our breakfast companions at the B&B had toured it and said it was worth seeing.

Cockspur Island

The fort sits on Cockspur Island, located at the mouth of the Savannah River. Cockspur Island is where John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, landed in 1736 to begin his ministry in the colonies. Additionally, the Cockspur Island Lighthouse, first erected around 1839 as a daymark, lies at the southeastern tip. High tides to the islet prevent accessibility to visitors.

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Read more about the article Mission San Jose – San Antonio, TX

Mission San Jose – San Antonio, TX

After spending most of our time in downtown San Antonio, we headed to Mission San Jose. Just five miles south of downtown, Mission San Jose, also known as “The Queen of the Missions,” offers a glimpse into Colonial Spanish life in the New World.

Until 1821, Texas was part of Mexico, which was really part of New Spain. The Spaniards built hundreds of missions across Mexico. In San Antonio alone, missionaries built the five missions along the San Antonio River in the 1700s. These missions were connected to each other by the King’s Highway (El Camino de Real de los Tejas), which stretched from Mexico City to the Sabine River at the Texas/Louisiana border.

Founding of Mission San Jose

The Franciscans founded Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo on the east side of the river in 1719. For unknown reasons, it moved to its present site on the other side of the river around 1727. By 1758, Mission San Jose housed over 280 Native Americans and included a granary, friary, church, mill, blacksmith shop, and soldiers’ quarters. Cattle totaled 1000, and sheep totaled over 3,200. It was a large operation!

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Read more about the article Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park – Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park – Kennesaw, GA

A while back, I wrote a post about the two-mile hike up to Kennesaw Mountain. At 1,800 feet, the summit offers visitors 360-degree views of Atlanta and the North Georgia mountains. While a popular hiking spot for Atlantans, many overlook the museum inside the visitor center, which details the Battle of Kennesaw in 1864.   

Thing 1, a recent college graduate with a major in Public History, has moved home and we’ve enjoyed exploring museums and historical spots around the Atlanta area. In all my visits to Kennesaw Mountain, I’ve never ventured to the museum or watched the historic film about the battlefield. Nor had I ever explored more trails of the almost 3,000-acre park.

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Read more about the article Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park – Macon, GA

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park – Macon, GA

While on our way to Thing 1’s graduation from Flagler College in St. Augustine, we made a stop at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park in Macon. We had taken our daughters to the historic park about ten years ago, but I wanted to spend more time and visit the museum.

Plans are underway to make Ocmulgee Mounds the first National Park in Georgia. With the recent purchase of over 800 acres in Twiggs County, the creation of Ocmulgee National Park is a possibility in the near future.

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