Fort Zachary Taylor

The first of the 19thC forts that I visited while at Key West.  First - the history lesson!

This fort commenced construction in 1845, and was named after an American President that died suddenly in 1850.  Construction continued until the 1860's, and was slow due to a short of supplies and outbreaks of yellow fever.  The fort itself had three levels, and was originally completely srrounded by a moat.  It housed 140 cannons (Rodmand and Columbiad).  It had other features, including sanitary systems that were flushed out by the sea, and desalination plants.  Although it never saw any action, the fort was completed in time for the Civil War, and was occupied by Union soldiers, who aimed to stop Confederate ships from entering the Gulf of Mexico. 

The fort was used again in the Spanish-American war.  In 1889, the cannons in use were considered outdated, so the top levels were cut down to make way for newer guns.  The fort was remodelled a number of times for use in various wars (the last of which obviously was WWII).  At some point, The casemates were all filled in, and the cannons were thrown into the filling as well.  The casemates have been excavated, and some of the cannons retrieved.  There are still many more buried, and half buried (as you'll see in the photos).

Of interest was the number if Iguanas lounging all over the ramparts, sunning themselves... Also very cool were the very large birds that were circling around and didn't seem to phased by our presence.  I have to say, on the one hand, it would be an awesome fort to reenact in, although I'm not sure that I'd be sleeping there, given the size of both the iguanas and birds.. ;)