Fort De Soto
Fort De Soto (1898-1948) - Construction of this Endicott Period fort began in fall of 1898 on Mullet Key Island, Florida. Named for Hernando de Soto on 4 Apr 1900. Declared surplus in 1928 but reused during World War II. Finally purchased by Pinellas County, Florida, 11 Aug 1948.
Fort De Soto History
Part of the Harbor Defense of Tampa Bay.
Originally identified by Ltc. Robert E. Lee in 1849 as a strategic location for guarding Tampa Bay. Construction began in 1898 based on the survey drawn by Lee.
Endicott Period
Two reinforced concrete Endicott Period gun batteries were completed, Battery Laidley (1902) and Battery Bigelow (1904). The fort was garrisoned between 1900 and 1922 by Coastal Artillery units.
In 1922 the islands were first offered for sale by the U.S Government but not actually sold to anyone. On 25 May 1923 the fort was placed on standby status with a single caretaker and the remaining garrison left. In 1938 it was purchased by Pinellas County, Florida, for $12,500.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Laidley | 8 | 12" | Mortar | 1898-1900-1900-1931 | $ 155,652 | 4 Mortars to Battery Whistler, Fort Rosecrans, 1917 4 Mortars still in place |
| Battery Bigelow | 2 | 3" | Masking Parapet | 1904-1920 | $ 13,980 | In the surf |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
,
World War II
Pinellas County sold the islands back to the U.S. Government for $18,404 in 1941. On 22 Mar 1941 Fort De Soto was designated a sub-post of MacDill Field, Florida, it became an Army Air Force gunnery and bombing training center during the war.
Current Status
Pinellas County bought the islands back from the U.S. Government in 1948 for $26,500 and they became Fort De Soto Park. Period guns and carriages are displayed including the only remaining installation of 12", 1890M1 Mortars on 1896M1 Carriages in the U.S. and a display of two 6" British Armstrong guns from Battery Burchsted on Fort Dade.
|
{"selectable":false,"width":"500"} |
Location: Mullet Key Island, Florida Maps & Images Lat: 27.6127727 Long: -82.7353442 |
Sources:
- 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 163
- Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library
- Fort De Soto County Park
- another park site
- Andy Bennett site
- Wikipedia
- A history of Fort De Soto
Links:
Visited: No
Fort De Soto Picture Gallery
|
Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |