Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Location:At the end of Southard Street in Key West, on Truman Annex.
Facilities:Picnic areas, beach, showers, restrooms, food concession, kayak and
snorkeling gear rental, interpretive exhibits, hiking trails.
Activities:Saltwater fishing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, guided tours.
Special Features:Construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after Florida became a
state, but took 21 years to complete due to yellow fever, shortages of
material and men, remoteness, and hurricanes. Fort Taylor remained in
Union hands throughout the Civil War, and was again used during the
Spanish-American War. Beginning in the late 1960s, excavations for old
armaments uncovered a buried arsenal from Civil War times. In
recognition of the fort's large collection of Civil War cannons, it was
placed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a
National Historic Landmark.
Address:PO Box 6560
Key West, FL 33041
Phone:305-292-6713
Web: www.floridastateparks.org/forttaylor
Size: 36 acres land; 19 acres water.
See other parks in
Florida.