Near Sumatra in Franklin County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

British Fort Magazine

1. British Fort Magazine Marker

Inscription. It is hard to imagine the horrible scene that greeted the first Americans to stand here on the morning of July 27, 1816. The remains of the 270 persons killed in the magazine explosion lay scattered about. They also found an arsenal of ten cannons, 2,500 muskets and over 150 barrels of black powder. Some original timbers from the octagonal magazine were uncovered here by excavations.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Forts and Castles. A significant historical date for this entry is July 27, 1816.

Location. 29° 56.297′ N, 85° 0.588′ W. Marker is near Sumatra, Florida, in Franklin County. Marker can be reached from Forest Road 127, 4 miles State Road 65. On Route 65, a sign marks the turn for Fort Gadsden/Prospect Bluff Historic Sites. Go west on Forest Road 129. In about 4 miles, turn left onto Forest Road 129-D. The kiosk and parking lot are visible from that point. Roads are unpaved and may have potholes.

There is a walk from the parking lot, kiosk, and toilets to the site.

The site was named Fort Gadsden Historic Site until 2016, when its name was changed to Prospect Bluff Historic Sites. Some signs still carry the old name. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sumatra FL 32335, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 17 miles of this marker, measured as the

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crow flies. Steamship Tragedy (here, next to this marker); "Milly Francis" (here, next to this marker); Fort Gadsden (here, next to this marker); Wewahitchka Centennial (approx. 16.7 miles away); Gulf County Old Courthouse (approx. 16.7 miles away).

More about this marker. Those killed were negroes, escaped slaves or descendents of them, and Indians. Note that to the author of the marker's text, none of these were "Americans", although many were born in the United States.

Additional keywords. Blacks, negroes, African Americans, cannonball, hot shot

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2018, by Daniel Eisenberg of Boca Raton, Florida. This page has been viewed 305 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on March 4, 2018, by Daniel Eisenberg of Boca Raton, Florida. Photo 1. submitted on February 24, 2018, by Daniel Eisenberg of Boca Raton, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.