Community Corner

Fort Sumter Sees Record Visitation

Nearing close of 150th anniversary of first shots, Civil War site is seeing record crowds.

A record 328,000 visitors boarded the boat and visited Fort Sumpter in 2011, a record for visitation set as the Lowcountry historic sites marked the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War.

Though the sesquicentennial is the main reason so many tourists flocked to Charleston's Civil War Attractions, the crowds don't appear to be slowing, according to reports.

Visitation is up 11 percent in the first three months of 2012 compared to the same time last year, the AP reports. Data reflects visits to Sumter in Charleston Harbor, Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island and Charles Pinckney Historic Site.

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"It did indeed exceed my expectations," Dawn Davis, the chief ranger, told the AP. "I expected it last April and even last May. But for it to continue and continue all winter and the first three months of this year..."

Fort Sumter is considered the location of the start of the Civil War. On April 12, 1861, confederate troops opened fire on the Union-held Fort Sumter. Unable to reply effectively, the Union surrendered the fort the following day.

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