Fort Brooke Battery Marker

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Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort Brooke Battery

By Mike Stroud, 2009

1. Fort Brooke Battery Marker

Inscription. Replica Naval Mounts
Manufactured for
The Friends of Plant Park
The Citizens of Tampa, Hillsborough County
and The University of Tampa
Dedicated to
The original inhabitants, soldiers, sailors and
settlers who with blood sweat and toil
carved this area out of wilderness.
Funded by
The Fort Brooke Commission
[ Includes Council resolutions, list of Chairpersons, Manufacturer and designer ]
History of the Battery
Originally part of a battery of Three, mounted on Barbette Carriages and placed in the year 1861 near the northeast corner of the mouth of the Hillsborough River these 24 pound shot sized cannon were used to defend Tampa and Fort Brooke during the "War between the States". On May 5, 1864 Federal Troops composed of elements of The 2nd U.S. Colored Regiment, 2nd Florida cavalry, U.S. Sailors and Florida Union (irregular troops) landing South and East of Tampa enveloped Tampa in a pincers movement and captured it by surprise. The 24 pounders were disabled and their mounts destroyed. Two smaller 6 pound shot size cannon were carried away. H.B. Plant in 1891 while constructing the Tampa Bay Hotel is credited with saving these two cannon by bringing them to these grounds and including them in a "Childrens Fort" play area.

Erected by

Fort Brooke Battery Marker, Mounted on the side of the carriage. Photo, Click for full size

By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2009

2. Fort Brooke Battery Marker, Mounted on the side of the carriage.

The Fort Brooke Commission.

Location. 27° 56.814′ N, 82° 27.797′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker can be reached from University Dr. near West Kennedy Boulevard. Click for map. University of Tampa Campus. Marker is in this post office area: Tampa FL 33606, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tampa Bay Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Tampa Bay Hotel, 1891 (within shouting distance of this marker); De Soto (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); a different marker also named Tampa Bay Hotel (about 400 feet away); United Spanish War Veterans (about 700 feet away); Lt. Col. Franks S. Adamo, M.D. (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Rough Riders Passed By Here (approx. 0.3 miles away); Courthouse Square (approx. 0.3 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Tampa.

Regarding Fort Brooke Battery. The Tampa Convention Center currently stands at the Fort Brooke site.

Also see . . .
1. Fort Brooke, From Wikipedia. 1864, both Fort Brooke and Tampa were captured by Union Forces. (Submitted on June 16, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
2. The Hillborough River Raid and the Battle of Ballast Point at Tampa Bay. (Submitted on June 16, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)