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

Soldiers' Barracks

— Dry Tortugas National Park —

Photographed by Pete Skillman, November 20, 2023

1. Soldiers' Barracks Marker

Inscription. In 1863 the US Army started building a barracks for soldiers who had been crowded into storehouses on the parade ground and unfinished casemates on the fort's second tier. The three-story building—higher than the fort's walls to catch the breeze and longer than a football field—was designed to house 1,000 soldiers, but it was never completed. Hurricanes, neglect, and a 1912 fire damaged the barracks. The unstable ruins were torn down in the 1960s. All that remains is this foundation.

Quite a number of prisoners are quartered in the building that is erected for barracks. There is no roof on it but it rains so seldom they seldom are discomoded [sic] by rain.
William S. Stebbins, 110th New York Volunteers, May 21, 1864

(captions)
Soldiers' barracks in the 1860s (below), seen behind the original Garden Key Lighthouse
One-story kitchens were located between the barracks and the interior fort wall.

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series

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list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1864.

Location. 24° 37.721′ N, 82° 52.341′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from no nearby street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal 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: Traverse Magazine (a few steps from this marker); Rifled Cannon (a few steps from this marker); Catching Rain (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Brevet Major, Jos. Sim Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Intricate Gun Rooms (within shouting distance of

Panorama of the Soldiers' Barracks ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, November 20, 2023

2. Panorama of the Soldiers' Barracks ruins

this marker); Makeshift Living Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Mariners Beware! (within shouting distance of this marker); Touring Fort Jefferson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 12, 2026

3. Soldiers' Barracks Marker

The view of the marker with the ruins of the Soldiers' Barracks in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. 3. submitted on February 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.