Resource Managers Study Ways
to Save Fort Massachusetts

Fort Massachusetts has been admired for its beautiful brick arches but the beach continues to erode around it. This isn't the first time and in fact, a Save the Fort movement started by Mississippians in the 1960's led to the establishment of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Unlike the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse that could be moved, Fort Massachusetts is made of tons of brick and concrete that can't be budged. Beach nourishment is one way of protecting Ship Island's majestic landmark. To save tax dollars, the National Park Service piggy-backs on dredge projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The dredgers remove sand from ship channels and pump it around the fort. Consequently, a brilliant sandy beach is made to eliminate the water lapping at the scenic structure's walls.

Fort Massachusetts Masonry Project
Fort Massachusetts has received a much needed face lift thanks to a special group of National Park Service artisans. Employees from the Historic Preservation Training Center stepped ashore in December 2001 to re-point, replace and reset as needed, the brick walls of the 135 year-old fort. Decades of salt air and wave action had seriously eroded the historic mortar, especially around the northeast bastion.

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Last Updated: 1/6/03
Webmaster Gulf Islands
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