Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Traverse Magazine

Fort Jefferson

— Dry Tortugas National Park —

Traverse Magazine Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Traverse Magazine Marker

Inscription. These hill-like structures on the terreplein protected ammunition from enemy fire. They also could shield nearby gun crews if necessary. Sixteen traverse magazines are located between gun platforms on the open—and thus vulnerable—top tier of the fort. Plans called for the large detached magazine, with arched roof on the parade ground below, to supply gunpowder for US warships, but that magazine was never completed.

(caption)
These unfinished traverse magazines would have been finished with galvanized iron roofs over wooden beams. The space between the roof and masonry dome would have been filled with sand.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 24° 37.726′ N, 82° 52.339′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from no nearby street. This marker is located within Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas National Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal

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address: Fort Jefferson - Key West, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys.

It is also in the American 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: Soldiers' Barracks (a few steps from this marker); Rifled Cannon (a few steps from this marker); Catching Rain (a few steps from this marker); In Memory of Brevet Major, Jos. Sim Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Intricate Gun Rooms (within shouting distance of this marker); Makeshift Living Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Mariners Beware! (within shouting distance of this marker); Keeping Powder Dry and Safe (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

2. Traverse Magazine Marker

of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . . Dry Tortugas National Park. (Submitted on June 3, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by James Hulse, January 12, 2026

3. Traverse Magazine Marker

The view inside of the magazine.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on February 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.