The Fort can be visited
FortressGarden Key
Fort Jefferson
Fort Jefferson is an imposing fortress located at the southern tip of the Florida Keys. Named after former US President Thomas Jefferson, this hexagonal structure stands on Garden Key, an island in the Dry Tortugas, approximately 110 kilometers west of Key West. It is a remarkable example of 19th-century military architecture that, despite its size, was never involved in combat.
History+
The site's origins date back to 1825 when a lighthouse was built. Construction of the actual fortress began in 1846 and spanned over three decades, utilizing 16 million red bricks. Although never fully completed, the fort reached its final wall height of nearly 14 meters in 1862 and was designed to accommodate 450 cannons and 1,500 soldiers. During the American Civil War, Fort Jefferson served as a prison for deserters and political prisoners, including individuals involved in Abraham Lincoln's assassination. A yellow fever epidemic claimed numerous lives among the garrison, but the incarcerated doctor Samuel Mudd managed to contain the spread and save many soldiers, leading to his release. After several hurricanes and further epidemics, the army abandoned the fort in 1874. Later, it served as a quarantine station and was militarily used during the Spanish-American War and briefly during World War I. In 1908, the area was declared a bird sanctuary, and in 1935, President Roosevelt designated it a national monument. Since 1992, it has been part of the Dry Tortugas National Park.
Location+
Fort Jefferson is situated on Garden Key in Monroe County, Florida, USA, at an elevation of approximately 4 meters above sea level.
On site+
Visitors can explore Fort Jefferson today. Only the foundations of the living quarters and the original lighthouse remain.
Nearby+
- Fort Zachary Taylor (fortress), approx. 108.0 km away
- Fort Zachary Taylor (Key West) (fortress), approx. 108.0 km away
- Fort Matanzas (fortress), approx. 586.4 km away
- Castillo de San Marcos (fortress), approx. 604.0 km away
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Source: Wikipedia · Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
This description draws on the facts documented in the linked Wikipedia article; Wikipedia content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wording and editing: Mobile History.
Location: 24.6285, -82.8731