Another Key West Claim To Fame: Fort Zachary Taylor

The colorful history of Key West includes many legends of pirates, shipwrecks, and battles. I never grow tired of hearing the stories, and visiting the local historical sites. One on my "favorites" list is Fort Zachary Taylor located at the end of Southard Street on Truman Annex in Key West. This location gives Fort Taylor the distinction of being the southernmost state park in the continental United States.

Fort Zachary Taylor was constructed in 1845 by the US Army, to protect the harbor of Key West. It was originally located 1,200 feet offshore but in the 1960s the water surrounding the fort was filled with land from dredging projects, and the fort became landlocked. Today, the fort has a moat around it which gives the original feel of being surrounded by water. It also provides an attractive divide between the fort, the surrounding land, and the beach.

When the Civil War broke out, Federal troops were already living in the Key West Barracks, and they moved into Fort Taylor. The fort remained in Union hands for the duration of the war. The military history of Fort Zachary Taylor continued, when it was used as a coastal artillery installation during the Spanish-American War, and a training facility for the US forces during both World Wars. In 1947, the fort was removed from active duty and turned over to the US Navy to be used for storage.

In 1968 Key West resident Howard England started to excavate Fort Taylor, and discovered many Civil War artifacts and a rare desalination plant. In 1973, the fort was declared a National Historic Landmark. In 1976, the state of Florida and its park service obtained ownership of the property. Fort Zachary Taylor was officially opened as a state park in 1985. Check out the slideshows provided by our local Friends of Fort Taylor.

When I walk through this Key West landmark, I can imagine the action when the fort's cannons were fired during the Civil War to prevent ships from running the blockade to supply the Confederacy. I am fascinated by accounts of the shipwrecks that were part of our past. Key West became the richest city in Florida in the 1890s, with the salvaging of wrecked ships being one of the economic drivers. Although pirates may not have attacked the fort directly, we relive the days of Key West pirates during the annual Pirate Fest held at Fort Taylor in December. In fact, the first outpost established by the US Navy in Key West was a small depot in 1822 to rid the area of pirates!

I could go on and on about the intriguing history of Key West, but it's much more fun to come and see for yourself! I am ready to show you the options and opportunities to make Key West part of your history. Give me a call today. Margarita Villoch: 305-304-8505.