Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Trenches & Trous-de-Loup

— Colonial Archaeological Trail —

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

1. Trenches & Trous-de-Loup Marker

Inscription. The exhibit to your left shows part of a trench excavated by UWF archaeologists. This trench extended into Plaza Ferdinand VII and revealed the remains of two British forts. The first, built in 1767, was called the Star Fort and its palisade wall trench is visible in the exhibit. In 1775, the sturdier Fort of Pensacola replaced the Star Fort. This final British fort had four bastions and was surrounded by a dry moat filled with sharpened stakes called wolf traps or trous-de-loup. Today, fill dirt from the late 19th-century construction of Plaza Ferdinand VII protects the remains of the forts.

UWF archaeologists excavating the Officer's Room. Image courtesy of the UWF Archaeology Institute.

Artist rendering of a structure, palisade wall, and trous-de-loup. Image courtesy of the UWF Historic Trust

Erected by University of West Florida Historic Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era • Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1767.

Location. 30° 24.516′ N, 87° 12.812′ W. Marker is in Pensacola,

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Florida, in Escambia County. It is on South Jefferson Street south of Church Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in Plaza Ferdinand VII. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 330 S Jefferson St, Pensacola FL 32502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Officer's Room and Kitchen (here, next to this marker); A Spanish Town (a few steps from this marker); Finding 1821 (a few steps from this marker); Votes for Women (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. Andrew Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); William Dudley Chipley

Trenches & Trous-de-Loup Marker in foreground. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

2. Trenches & Trous-de-Loup Marker in foreground.

Trench can be seen in the grass just to left of the fence.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Old Escambia County Court of Record Building / Pensacola Little Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Stop and Smell the Roses (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.

Other markers no longer nearby. Colonial Pensacola - Archaeology Brings History to Life (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The Life and Legacy of T. T. Wentworth, Jr. (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Gateway to Florida’s History (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Trenches & Trous-de-Loup. The Colonial Archaeological Trail is a collection of outdoor exhibits relating the Spanish, British, and American occupations of Pensacola. This interpretive trail highlights the rich deposits of colonial history and archaeology in the heart of downtown Pensacola.

Trenches & Trous-de-Loup Marker with the Pensacola Museum of History in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

3. Trenches & Trous-de-Loup Marker with the Pensacola Museum of History in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 391 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.