Fort Taylor (2): Difference between revisions
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[[Image:FortTaylor Harpers.jpg|365px|thumb|right|Fort Taylor from the land side 1861]] | [[Image:FortTaylor Harpers.jpg|365px|thumb|right|Fort Taylor from the land side 1861]] | ||
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'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (1846-1947) - Construction began in 1845 and was essentially complete in 1860. Also known as [[Fort Zachery Taylor]]. | '''{{PAGENAME}}''' (1846-1947) - Construction began in 1845 and was essentially complete in 1860, named for [[Zachery Taylor]]. Also known as [[Fort Zachery Taylor]]. | ||
== {{PAGENAME}} History == | == {{PAGENAME}} History == | ||
Fort Taylor was designed as a three tiered fort in the shape of a trapezoid off shore about 1000' on the southwestern side of Key West island. By the end of 1860 the fort was ready for occupancy | Fort Taylor was designed as a three tiered fort in the shape of a trapezoid off shore about 1000' on the southwestern side of Key West island. By the end of 1860 the fort was ready for occupancy | ||
Revision as of 18:16, 9 February 2008
Fort Taylor (2) (1846-1947) - Construction began in 1845 and was essentially complete in 1860, named for Zachery Taylor. Also known as Fort Zachery Taylor.
Fort Taylor (2) History
Fort Taylor was designed as a three tiered fort in the shape of a trapezoid off shore about 1000' on the southwestern side of Key West island. By the end of 1860 the fort was ready for occupancy
U.S. Civil War
Union troops secured the fort for the Union 15 Jan 1861 and by March 1861 the fort had a complement of 178 guns. Fort Taylor, Fort Jefferson, and Fort Pickens were held by Union forces throughout the U.S. Civil War. Fort Taylor served as headquarters for the Union Navy East Gulf Coast Blockading Squadron and guarded some 300 captured vessels anchored in front of the fort. Fort Taylor never saw hostile action.
Endicott Period
Fort Taylor was upgraded during the Endicott Period with 9 batteries . The top two levels were removed and newer coastal artillery was emplaced, which remained through mid-World War II. Anti-aircraft guns replaced the coastal artillery pieces.
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Current Status
The fort site was transferred to the Navy in 1947 and was used a storage yard for scrap metal. The Department of the Interior took over the property until it was deeded to the State of Florida in 1976. The fort is now a Florida State Park.
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Location: Key West, Florida Maps & Images Lat: 24.547884 Long: -81.810207 |
Sources:
- Robinson, Willard B., American Forts: Architectural Form and Function, University of Illinois Press, Urbana, 1977, ISBN 0-252-00589-9, page 114-115
- Kaufmann, J.E. and Kaufmann, H.W., Fortress America: The Forts That Defended America, 1600 to the Present, DaCapo Press, 2004, ISBN 0-306-81294-0, page 226,227
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 209-210
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