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

Fort East Martello

Key West Art & Historical Society

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Fort East Martello Marker

Inscription. This is one of three Civil War era forts on the island. Construction began in 1862 making it part of a chain of fortifications that controlled Key West's maritime waterways. The architectural design is a Martello Tower, a Genoese defense system originally from the island of Corsica that dates back to the 16th century. With two lines of defense it was designed to be virtually impregnable. No shots were ever fired from this fort. By 1865, the war ended and new gun technology had made masonry fortifications obsolete.
—Circa 1862—
Key West Historic Marker
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Erected by Key West Art & Historical Society. (Marker Number 82.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 24° 33.127′ N, 81° 45.318′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from the intersection of South Roosevelt Boulevard (Florida Route A1A) and Faraldo Circle, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3501 S Roosevelt Blvd, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Meacham Field

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nyad (approx. 1.1 miles away); Southern Terminus of Overseas Railway (approx. 1.4 miles away); Salt Production (approx. 1½ miles away); The Martinez Havana Company Factory (approx. 1½ miles away); Indian Block (approx. 1.6 miles away); Blue Freedom (approx. 1.6 miles away); Key West Roosters (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. Fort East Martello. (Submitted on September 5, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Key West Art & Historical Society. (Submitted on September 5, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Fort East Martello Marker

Fort East Martello Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. Fort East Martello Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 386 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.