Gatalop is held at historic Fort Gaines, a nineteenth-century fort which saw action in the U.S. Civil War. Fort Gaines is located on Dauphin Island, a Gulf of Mexico barrier island approximately 45 minutes south of Mobile, AL.

Fort Gaines front gate. Photo credit: Jim Hall (2008).

Camping is available both within (period tents only) and outside the fort walls. Limited crash space is also available in the rooms of the fort – contact the reservation steward early to guarantee your space.

Please familiarize yourself with the site rules. Fort Gaines is a special site with some unique requirements for our use.

Some additional things to know about the fort and event:

• Note: the trees that used to grow within the fort have been removed, so there is no shade within the fort other than the rooms. You are welcome to bring period day shades/field pavilions – contact the Land Steward to ensure you will have space to set up.

• Cell/data service is very limited and varies widely by carrier. 4G service may not be available at all. Coverage sometimes improves along the road back toward the Estuarium and the center of the island. Since there are very few places to charge your phone, consider putting it on airplane mode most of the time so that you do not run your battery down.

• The fort is located at the end of an island with very little to break the gusts of wind. Temperatures in the daytime are usually in the 60s-70s, but can sneak up into the 80s especially in the direct sunlight; nighttime temperatures are usuallly in the 40s but may dip into the 30s, and feel colder with the wind. Bring sunscreen and layers and prepare for a variety of conditions. There is no great hall, so in the event of rain, be sure you have somewhere to shelter (or good rain gear). If you are camping, know that the wind can be very fierce – stake your tents well!

• The ground inside and outside the fort is very sandy. Bring long tent stakes. Sandspurs are prevalent and will attach themselves to dress hems, cloaks, socks, and shoes with alacrity.

Directions

Take your best route to I-10 exit 17A-B. Take the exit ramp to Rangeline Road/AL-193 South (toward Dauphin Island). Go 8.3 miles. At the “T,” turn left on AL-193. Go 0.8 miles and then turn right onto AL-193 S. Continue until it ends at Bienville Blvd (on the island) and turn left on Bienville Blvd. Drive 2.2 miles; Fort Gaines will be on the right. Troll is at the end of the parking lot just outside the fort gate.