Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: Visitor’s Guide

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park protects nearly 200 years of history. The park is located in Key West, Florida, and is home to America’s southernmost Civil War fortress.

It was constructed in 1845 as part of a defensive plan that called for the establishment of masonry fortresses along America’s coastline to prevent sea attacks on the United States. When completed, it was three stories tall, held 140 cannons, and was home to nearly 450 soldiers. It was named for President Zachary Taylor in November 1850, who a few months earlier suddenly died in office.

Gibraltar of the Florida Straits

Fort Zachary Taylor served faithfully during the American Civil War. Though it never fired a shot in defense, it was known as the “Gibraltar of the Florida Straits.” With secession and the beginning of war in 1861, Fort Taylor remained under Union control — one of only three forts in Florida to do so. The fort protected the harbor from attack throughout the war and anchored the Union’s East Gulf Blockading Fleet.

Several of the people who conspired to kill President Abraham Lincoln spent time at Fort Zachary Taylor before being transferred to Fort Jefferson in what is now Dry Tortugas National Park. Those conspirators included Dr. Samuel Mudd0, who treated Lincoln’s assassin John Wilkes Booth’s broken leg.

Fort Taylor continued to defend the United States during the Spanish-American War, WWI, and WWII. It was decommissioned in 1947 and eventually opened to the public as a state park in 1985.

Visiting Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

We visited Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park on a beautiful winter day. We were staying in Key West the night before a Dry Tortugas National Park tour.

My first impression of the fort was that it was remarkably well-preserved. Key West was bursting with tourists, but the fort was very calm in comparison. There were maybe a dozen other people walking the grounds when we arrived.

It was a very cool experience meandering through the walls of the nearly 200-year-old fort. There were tons of displays and old cannons that gave you a sense of what it was like there when it was a Civil War fort.

Florida State Park rangers were on hand to answer any questions and they do offer guided tours as well as Civil War reenactments from time to time.

Other things to do at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Exploring the fort grounds was a fantastic time, but the park offers many other recreational activities.

Birding

Birdwatching is very popular at the fort. The park is a part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Fall and spring bird migrations are especially nice. Bird lists are available at the ranger station.

Hiking

There are a couple of short hiking trails at the park. The Fort View Nature trail is particularly nice and gives you a great view of Fort Taylor from the outside.

Fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling are also very popular at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park.