Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Posted by: 
sfwife
N 24° 32.795 W 081° 48.601
17R E 417961 N 2714983
Historic Fort in Key West FL
Waymark Code: WM3QZZ
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 05/07/2008
Views: 63
From the Discovery website:
Fort Taylor, the nation's southernmost Civil War era fortress, was part of the Third Tier System of Defense Fortifications plan. Construction began in 1845. The fort is named for President Zachary Taylor. In 1861, as Florida prepared to leave the Union, Federal artillery troops of Co. B, First U.S. Artillery secured Fort Taylor. The fort remained in Federal hands throughout the entire conflict. It's main role was to serve as headquarters of the U.S. Navy's East Gulf Coast Blockading Squadron. In 1898, Army engineers removed the top two tiers of the three-story fortress and constructed two Endicott-period coast artillery batteries over the Civil War era casemates. The fort remained on active duty until 1947 when it was surplused to the U.S. Navy. Fort Taylor was named as a National Historic Landmark in 1973. The property was donated to the state of Florida in 1976. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park opened to the public in 1985. The fort holds the largest cac he of Civil War era seacoast cannon in the U.S. Nearly 200 Rodman, Columbiad and Parrott cannon were used in the construction of Endicott batteries as in-fill. The cannon remain buried within the Endicott battery walls.
Type of site: Other Military Site
Address:
P.O. Box 6560
Key West, FL USA
33041
Phone Number: 305-292-6713
Admission Charged: $5 or less
Website: [Web Link]
Driving Directions:
Continue south on U.S. 1 to Whitehead St., turn right on Whitehead St. to Southard St., turn left on Southard St,. continue through the Truman Annex and follow the signs to the park entrance.
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