Fort Pickens
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Fort Pickens was begun in 1829 and completed five years later in 1834. It is largest one of four forts that was built to defend Pensacola Bay. It is located on the Gulf Islands National Seashore and the fort guarded the island as well as the entrance to the harbor. Fort Pickens was named after Major General Andrew Pickens. Pickens served as a militia leader in the American Revolution.
Images
Entrance to Fort Pickens.
Just a fraction of the 21.5 million bricks used to build the fort.
Fort Pickens Officer Rows
Map of Fort Pickens in 1861.
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Following the War of 1812, the U.S. decided to secure their ports. Pensacola Bay was one of the best harbors on the Gulf Coast. This led to many battles that were fought over who would get control of the bay. Under the supervision of Major William Henry Chase, the fort was built with the help of slaves. The slaves used more then twenty-one million bricks in the process of erecting the fort. Most of these bricks were made locally. Fort Sumter which was located in Charleston, SC, also played a role with Fort Pickens. Fort Pickens was reinforced the day after Fort Sumter surrendered which led to prevention of
the Confederates from being able to get control of Pensacola Bay as well as using the
Navy Yard.
On October 25, 1886, sixteen Apache men came to the Fort. Geronimo and his warriors spent many days at the Fort Pickens and was held as prisoners. Geronimno along with the other warriors were put hard to work sawing up logs and working everyday. Geronimo's presence captured the attention of many tourists, and this soon led the Fort in becoming a tourist attraction.
Fort Pickens closed as an army installation in 1947. The fort's grounds then became part of a state park. The park was closed for many years due to maintenance. In 1976 it reopened to the public. Fort Pickens is opened daily and offers a choice of self-guided tours or ranger-guided tours. The Fort also has a campground
On October 25, 1886, sixteen Apache men came to the Fort. Geronimo and his warriors spent many days at the Fort Pickens and was held as prisoners. Geronimno along with the other warriors were put hard to work sawing up logs and working everyday. Geronimo's presence captured the attention of many tourists, and this soon led the Fort in becoming a tourist attraction.
Fort Pickens closed as an army installation in 1947. The fort's grounds then became part of a state park. The park was closed for many years due to maintenance. In 1976 it reopened to the public. Fort Pickens is opened daily and offers a choice of self-guided tours or ranger-guided tours. The Fort also has a campground
Sources
http://www.tulane.edu/~latner/Pickens.html
http://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-pickens.htm
http://www.museumsouthernhistory.com/warcomestoflorida/ftpickenspensacola.html
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/biographies/geronimo/a-prisoner-of-war.php
Photo Sources: http://www.starforts.com/pickens.html
http://americanhistory.about.com/od/nativeamericans/a/geronimo.htm
http://www.fortwiki.com/Fort_Pickens
Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=55&v=EPtgNOoLHBE