Florida’s historic past is the oldest in the nation. While the state was sparsely settled for many years until the beginning of the last century, it was the first area ever to be settled in the United States by Europeans. Spanish, British, Colonial, Spanish-American War and Civil War defenses are dotted all over the many coastal and inland areas of the state.
Some sites were no more than just a few logs stuck in the ground, while others were bastions of defense and architectural splendors. But which ones are the best to visit? Here’s my list of the best historical forts of Florida.
FortDeSoto
During the Civil War, Union troops blocked the entrance to Tampa Bay from Egmont and Mullet Keys. From the perch atop the lighthouse on Egmont Key, Union soldiers were able to spot any Confederate vessel that tried to escape the mouth of the bay. Even though no fortification existed, a blockade of ships prevented passage to open seas, thus crippling any services or goods routes through the area.
In 1898 when the U.S. entered the Spanish-American War, an outcry from citizens prompted the Secretary of War to order construction of fortifications on both Keys, with Fort DeSoto being on Mullet Key. On May 10, 1900, Fort DeSoto was completed. It had been built under schedule and under the $155,000 budget by just $16.73. Today, Fort DeSoto is a Pinellas County park full of adventure and fun. For more information on visiting this last great fort of the 20th century, visit the official website here.
This 19th century fort is one of the best preserved in the nation, probably because there was never any battles fought here. It was active during the Civil and Spanish-American Wars and was constructed between 1816 and 1867. It is a Third System Fortification, built to protect the deep water port of Fernandina on the outlet of the St. Mary’s River, north of Jacksonville.
It became a state park in 1935 and was one of the first in the state. Volunteers and park rangers dress in period costumes and depict daily life in the fort, demonstrate military drills and fire the guns on a daily basis. This great Florida state park has beaches, camping, fishing and a host of other fantastic amenities. For more information, visit the website here.
Castillo de San Marcos
Ancient City (St. Augustine) holds my favorite pick for the best fort in Florida. It is the oldest masonry structure in the United States and boasts one of the best examples in the country of a “bastion system” fortification. Building began in 1672 by the Spanish. The British captured the fort in 1763 and added more fortifications and gun battlements. By 1821 when Florida became a state, it was still in use.
Castillo de San Marcos has seen many battles, but still remains intact today. The fort is now a national park and hosts tours daily. This modern day time machine takes visitors on a trip into the past as park employees dress in period clothes, fire cannons on the hour, create reenactments and host demonstrations, all unique to the time and place that was colonial times. Details and directions can be found here at the National Park Service website.
