Chattahoochee in Gadsden County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Apalachicola Arsenal
Powder Magazine
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2014
1. Apalachicola Arsenal Marker
The Apalachicola Arsenal, originally known as the Mt. Vernon Arsenal, was built by the United States Army and served as an arms depot during the Second Seminole Indian War. Construction began in 1832, and was completed in 1839. The original compound consisted of nine buildings in a 400 ft. by 400 ft. quadrangle behind a 12-foot high, 30-inch-thick perimeter wall, plus the outbuildings. The U.S. Army maintained the arsenal until 1861, when it was taken over by Confederate troops. Following the Civil War, the arsenal was used by the Freedman's Bureau until 1868, and then as the state's first penitentiary. In 1876, it became the first mental health hospital in Florida.This structure, built as a gunpowder storage building or "powder magazine" is one of the arsenal's original outbuildings and the only one to survive. It originally had a hip roof and a single doorway located in the south wall, and was surrounded by a high brick containment wall. Over time, the Florida State Hospital used the structure as a coffin factory, carpenter shop, sewing center, and mattress factory. After undergoing numerous alterations and a period of neglect
this page online
Erected 2014 by Florida State Hospital, The Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-811.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 30° 42.375′ N, 84° 49.925′ W. Marker is in Chattahoochee, Florida, in Gadsden County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street and Pecan Lane, on the left when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: North Main Street, Chattahoochee FL 32324, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Apalachicola Arsenal (approx. 0.4 miles away); United States Arsenal (1832-1861) (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of Ellicott's Observatory (approx. 1.1 miles away); Karen's Mound (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Scott Massacre (approx. 1˝ miles away); Nicolls' Outpost (approx. 1˝ miles away); Chattahoochee Landing Mound Group (approx. 1˝ miles away); Sneads (approx. 5˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattahoochee.
Related markers.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2014
2. Apalachicola Arsenal - Powder Magazine
Also see . . . APALACHICOLA ARSENAL Chattahoochee, Florida. Explore Southern History entry. (Submitted on October 7, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2014
3. Powder Magazine Sign
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2014
4. Powder Magazine & Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 749 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
