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

Fort Zachary Taylor

Photographed by Pete Skillman, November 18, 2023

1. Fort Zachary Taylor Marker

Inscription. One of 3 civil war era forts built in Key West. At the onset of the Civil War, the Union seized control of the fort preventing it from falling into Confederate hands. It played an important role curtailing the threat of Confederate blockade runners. Originally, the fort was a 3 story fortification surrounded by water on all sides. With advances in gunnery the structure was reduced to one story at the turn of the twentieth century. The fort was heavily used again during the 1898 Spanish-American War.

-Circa 1845-
Key West Historic Marker
Free Audio Walking Tour
Call: 305•507•0300

Erected by Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. (Marker Number 70.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #12 Zachary Taylor, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 24° 32.837′ N, 81° 48.543′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from the intersection of Angela Street and Quay Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Zachary Taylor (here, next to this marker); Like the Rock of Gibraltar (a few steps from this marker); Home of Fort Zachary Taylor (within shouting distance of this marker); To Guard the Harbor (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Taylor (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort Taylor (within shouting distance of this marker); Hidden Treasure (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sally Port (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. Fort Zachary Taylor. (Submitted on May 13, 2024, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia.)
2. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. (Submitted on July 15, 2025, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California.)
3. Fort Zachary Taylor. National Register of Historic Places. (Submitted on July 15, 2025, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California.)

Fort Zachary Taylor from the air image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, November 20, 2023

2. Fort Zachary Taylor from the air

Photographed by Pete Payette, May 8, 2024

3. Fort Zachary Taylor Marker

Fort Taylor Marker, F-647 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patrick Duggan, July 10, 2025

4. Fort Taylor Marker, F-647

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 305 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. 3. submitted on May 13, 2024, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 10, 2025, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.