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Dry Tortugas, US Fort Jefferson
1846 Dry Tortugas National Park Garden Key, Gulf of Mexico Construction of Fort Jefferson began in 1846. The fort remained in United States control througout the Civil War, and served mainly to house prisoners, including Dr. Samuel Alexander Mudd who was sentenced to life in prison at Fort Jefferson for his role in the Lincoln assassination. Fort Jefferson was part of the United State's comprehensive "Third System" of coastal defenses. Construction of these Third System forts began in 1816 with most being complete before the Civil War. These were large masonry forts that were to be constructed along the nation's coastline to protect important harbors, cities, interior waterways, and navy yards from seaborne attack. Today the fort is preserved as as part of the Dry Tortugas National Park and a visit is well worthwhile. The site is accessible only by boat so planning is required! An entrance fee of $5 is required for visitors 17 and older. The fort is open during daylight hours year-round. « prev 1 next »

Dry Tortugas, US Fort Jefferson

1846

Dry Tortugas National Park

Garden Key, Gulf of Mexico

Construction of Fort Jefferson began in 1846. The fort remained in United States control througout the Civil War, and served mainly to house prisoners, including Dr. Samuel Alexander Mudd who was sentenced to life in prison at Fort Jefferson for his role in the Lincoln assassination.

Fort Jefferson was part of the United State's comprehensive "Third System" of coastal defenses. Construction of these Third System forts began in 1816 with most being complete before the Civil War. These were large masonry forts that were to be constructed along the nation's coastline to protect important harbors, cities, interior waterways, and navy yards from seaborne attack.

Today the fort is preserved as as part of the Dry Tortugas National Park and a visit is well worthwhile. The site is accessible only by boat so planning is required! An entrance fee of $5 is required for visitors 17 and older. The fort is open during daylight hours year-round.

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The Florida Public Archaeology Network is dedicated to the protection of cultural resources, both on land and underwater, and to involving the public in the study of their past.

If you know of additional places that you would like to see added to our Destination Civil War pages, have questions, or have additional information that you would like to share, contact us at civilwar@flpublicarchaeology.org.