Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest”.
Bhutan • 11 days, 10 nights
Festivals & Temples of Bhutan
from
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The sign declares this the number-one gumbo shop in town.
Gumbo Hut Shioya
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The truth is out there—somewhere.
The Truth Is Out There at the Dreamland Resort (or Should We Say ‘Area 51?’)
17 days ago
Edward Payson Weston
How the 6-Day Race Became an American Spectator Obsession
18 days ago
Alresford Spy Toilet
This Public Bathroom in a Sleepy English Village Was an Epicenter for Cold War Espionage
20 days ago
Manhattan Well
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mystery
21 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Mississippi Gulfport Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island

Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island

Built following the War of 1812, this fort has withstood hurricanes for centuries.

Gulfport, Mississippi

Added By
suzi1
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Fort Massachusetts   Wikipedia
Fort Massachusetts   Wikipedia
Beach with Umbrella’s   suzi1 / Atlas Obscura User
Fort Interior   Wikipedia
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Fort Massachusetts is a fort on Ship Island along the Mississippi Coast. Built after the War of 1812, the fort was still under construction when Mississippi seceded from the union.

Union troops managed to occupy the island and used it as a staging ground to capture New Orleans. More than 230 soldiers died from the harsh environment on the island and were buried here. The remains were subsequently reburied at Chalmette National Cemetery, in New Orleans.

The fort has withstood the ravages of hurricanes for centuries and is now part of the attraction here. Ship Island, located 11 miles south of Gulfport, Mississippi, covers 85 acres and was split into two by Hurricane Camille in September 1969. However, it recently was restored into one Island by the NPS. Its circumference is easily walkable and quite enjoyable. You can see dolphins, stingrays, pelicans, crabs, and more wildlife dotting the island.  

The best time to visit is fall and spring as the water is clear and the temperatures are perfect. Summers are hot with unrelenting sun, high humidity and temps, and the ever-present thunderstorm. In winter, with the island being just a large beach, winds whip across miles of open water, numbing you to the bone. 

Related Tags

Islands Forts Us Civil War

Know Before You Go

Accessible by a ferry that runs two sails in the morning and two in the evening. Be sure to check the schedule before planning your trip. See the ferry schedule for sailing times. Travel light and prepare for sunshine.

Make sure you bring sunscreen, and if it's summer, plenty of iced water as the environment is hot and humid.

Community Contributors

Added By

suzi1

Edited By

lyonsmw1, jmdrago27

  • lyonsmw1
  • jmdrago27

Published

June 11, 2016

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Massachusetts_(Mississippi)
  • http://www.msshipisland.com/?q=prepare_for_your_visit
Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island
1177 20th Ave
Gulfport, Mississippi, 39501
United States
30.366069, -89.086027
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Fishbone Alley

Gulfport, Mississippi

miles away

The Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library

Biloxi, Mississippi

miles away

St. Augustine's Seminary

Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Gulfport

Gulfport

Mississippi

Places 2

Nearby Places

Fishbone Alley

Gulfport, Mississippi

miles away

The Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library

Biloxi, Mississippi

miles away

St. Augustine's Seminary

Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Gulfport

Gulfport

Mississippi

Places 2

Related Places

  • The Victoria Lines in the Binġemma Valley.

    Mġarr, Malta

    Victoria Lines

    These 19th-century military fortifications spanning the island of Malta now form a nice countryside hiking trail.

  • Fort De Soto Park is the largest in Pinellas County, spanning over 1,000 acres with five connected islands.

    Tierra Verde, Florida

    Fort De Soto Park

    Fascinating military history, awe-inspiring wildlife encounters, and endless outdoor adventures draw people to this sprawling park.

  • Fernandina Beach, Florida

    Fort Clinch

    Used as a military post in three different engagements, this fort has remained incomplete and unfired upon for nearly 200 years.

  • The easternmost point in Denmark

    Gudhjem, Denmark

    Christiansø

    This remote island, home to the easternmost point in Denmark, once hosted pirates and a military fortress.

  • Stack Rock Fort

    Milford Haven, Wales

    Stack Rock Fort

    This 19th-century island fort built to protect against an invasion by sea.

  • The pathway connecting Saint-Malo to Grand Bé.

    Saint-Malo, France

    Grand Bé

    On this romantic tidal island reachable only at low tide the tomb of a famous French writer overlooks the sea.

  • Ruins on Corregidor Island.

    Cavite City, Philippines

    Corregidor Island

    The ruins on a deserted tropical island in the Philippines bear the scars of WWII.

  • Albadarr, The Gambia

    Kunta Kinteh Island

    A tiny island home to a former English slave fort.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.