St. Petersburg in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Rebuilding the Past … for the Future

— Egmont Key State Park —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 17, 2024

1. Rebuilding the Past … for the Future Marker

Inscription.
The Guard House
Constructed in 1911, the Guard House was Building Number 65 out of approximately 70 structures built between 1900 and 1916. The sturdy concrete Guard House was Fort Dade's military jail.

Standing Strong
Few of the fort's original buildings were constructed of concrete; most were built of wood. By the 1930s, many had been destroyed by hurricanes, demolished, or burned. The concrete jail, however, remained standing strong, though without a roof.

Key for the Future
The Guard House has been restored for use as a museum and education center. This historic lockup will one day hold the key to our island's history.

A Dedicated Group of Concerned Citizens
Restoration of the Guard House began in 1999, spearheaded by the Egmont Key Alliance, a citizens support group. Tiles of baked clay were used to reroof the building with an approximation of the original covering. Organizers even located the same Chicago company that supplied the original tiles.

Erected by Florida Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 27° 35.914′ N,

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82° 45.566′ W. Marker is in St. Petersburg, Florida, in Hillsborough County. It can be reached from Anderson Boulevard (Florida Route 679) 1½ miles west of Pinellas Bayway South, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located on Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge and State Park and can only be reached by boat or ferry. The ferry departs from the bay pier within Fort De Soto Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Saint Petersburg FL 33715, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Tampa Bay.

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: Guard House - Built: 1911 (here, next

Rebuilding the Past … for the Future Marker (left) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 17, 2024

2. Rebuilding the Past … for the Future Marker (left)

to this marker); Quartermaster’s Wharf (within shouting distance of this marker); Bakery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Dade Tennis Court (about 300 feet away); Sewer Flush Tank (about 500 feet away); Non-Commissioned Officers Row (about 500 feet away); Fire Station - built 1910 - Cost $2,424.00 (about 500 feet away); Mess Hall and Kitchen, built: 1905 (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Petersburg.

More about this marker. It is on Egmont Key in Hillsborough County, but in a St. Petersburg zip code.

Also see . . .
1. Fort Dade. (Submitted on August 29, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Egmont Key State Park. (Submitted on August 29, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.