Fort Zachary Taylor Served as Headquarters for the Union Navy’s East Gulf Blockading Squadron and Secured Key West Florida for the Union

In the first half of the 19th century, the United States built several masonry forts along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts for the purpose of defending those coasts from invasion. One of these forts was Fort Zachary Taylor at Key West, Florida.

Fort Zachary Taylor in 1861

The Army Corps of Engineers began construction of the fort in 1845, utilizing the skills of craftsman in the design from as far away as Europe Much of the heavy labor was performed by slaves. As was typical for these massive forts, construction took many years. It was three stories high with a capacity for 42 heavy guns on each level, along with a barracks for 800 men, when states began to secede to form the Confederacy prior to the beginning of the Civil War. Florida seceded on January 10th, 1861. Recognizing the importance of holding Fort Taylor for the Union, the commander of the Key West based 1st U.S. Artillery regiment occupied the fort on January 13th. It remained in Union hands for the entire war, was not fired upon by Confederate forces from either land or sea, understandable considering Fort Taylor’s heavy armament. The guns of Fort Taylor also kept the secessionist elements of Key West under control.

Fort Taylor was the headquarters of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron, one of several such squadrons that were charged with blockading the Confederate coast and ports and intercepting blockade runners. Crews from captured blockade runners were imprisoned in the fort, as were Confederate sympathizers who were deemed to be committing or encouraging acts of rebellion. Insubordinate Union soldiers could also find themselves confined to the fort’s jail cells.

Fort Taylor Parade Ground

At the time of the Spanish American War in 1898, the fort was reduced in size to two stories. Fort Taylor saw service as a part of the coastal defense of the U.S. in the Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II. Updated armaments for World War II included anti aircraft guns.

In 1947, the army turned Fort Taylor over to the U.S. Navy. The fort briefly came out of retirement during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and was named a National Historic Landmark in 1973. Three years later, it was donated to the State of Florida.

Visiting Fort Taylor

Today, Fort Taylor is the namesake of Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West. Besides the obvious historic value of the fort itself, the site is renown for its extensive collection of Civil War heavy artillery. The fort is not the only attraction at the state park; there are nature trails, picnic areas, and a beach. A Florida State Park admission fee is charged.

10 Inch Rodman Cannon at Ft. Zachary Taylor Key West FL

For more information see the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park website.