America's Southernmost Fort; An Historic Attraction

When we were in Key West this spring we had a chance to visit historic Fort Zachary Taylor and the State Park that encompasses it.
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, this state park is popular for recreation, as well as U.S. military history. The fort was one of a series built in the mid-1800s to defend the nation's southeastern coastline. Completed in 1866, Fort Zachary Taylor played important roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War. Guided tours of the fort are available daily.

Today, the fort contains the largest cache of Civil War-era seacoast cannons in the U.S. 

A few renovations have been made in recent decades. The fort was landlocked in the mid 1960s, after a dredging project by the U.S. Navy. A moat was later dug around the fort, to prevent easy entry, and to give the illusion of how the fort looked in the early days, when it was surrounded by water 1,200 feet offshore from Key West.

The Fort's land that is closer to downtown Key West became part of the Truman Annex to Naval Air Station Key West. The Annex was originally called Naval Station Key West until its closure in 1974 and included a submarine base. Today the fort is largely abandoned but some Navy air presence does remain nearby.
Key West's favorite beach, located at the southern end of the park, provides opportunities for picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Visitors can also enjoy a short nature trail and bicycling within the park.
You can find Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West at the end of Southard Street on Truman Annex.

We hope you enjoy these photos.

All photos copyright 2013 by Dan Cirucci.