Dry Tortugas National Park in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Catching Rain
Dry Tortugas National Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by James Hulse, January 12, 2026
1. Catching Rain Marker
The Dry Tortugas receive about 30 inches of rain yearly. The entire roof of the fort, as seen here, served as a hasin to catch as much of the rain as possible. From here, pipes carried the water down to cisterns beneath the gunrooms on the ground level.
After cracks in the settling fort allowed salt water to enter most of the cisterns, the US military had to rely on a 92,000-gallon cistern on the parade ground (low white structure) and, during the Civil War, on two steam condensers that could distill 7,000 gallons of fresh water per day from seawater.
In order to supply the fort, two large condensers or boilers were kept running night and day. Henry F.W. Little, The Seventh Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers in the War of the Rebellion, 1896
[Caption:]
Access to the cisterns was through a hatch in the floor of each first tier casemate.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location. 24° 37.738′ N, 82° 52.34′ W. Marker is in Dry Tortugas National
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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); Soldiers' Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Rifled Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Keeping Powder Dry and Safe (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Defending US Commerce (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Brevet Major, Jos. Sim Smith
Photographed by James Hulse, January 12, 2026
2. Catching Rain Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, January 12, 2026
3. Catching Rain Marker
The view of the sealed access point can be seen in front of the marker on the ground.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 34 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
