Near Pensacola Beach in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Step Back in History

— Fort Pickens —

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

1. Step Back in History Marker

Inscription. Fort Pickens played a critical role in an 1800s homeland-security program. Pickens was the largest of four forts the U.S. government built to protect Pensacola Bay and the Navy Yard. The fort succeeded, not against a foreign invasion, but against the Confederates during the Civil War. To learn more about the fascinating history of this defensive fortification, follow the sidewalk straight ahead and begin your self-guiding tour. The fort closes at sunset.

"...as the means of preserving peace, and as obstacles to an invader, [the fort's] influence and power are immense."
Lieutenant Henry W. Halleck, "Report on the Means of National Defense," 1843

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.

Location. 30° 19.691′ N, 87° 17.405′ W. Marker is near Pensacola Beach, Florida, in Escambia County. It can be reached from Fort Pickens Road near Pensacola Beach Boulevard (State Road 399). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Fort Pickens Road, Gulf Breeze FL 32561, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pensacola

and on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep 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: Swatting Mosquitoes (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Dueling with Confederates (within shouting distance of this marker); Beefing Up Defenses (within shouting distance of this marker); Deadly Explosion (within shouting distance of this marker); Converting a Cannon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort within a Fort (about 400 feet away); Massive Smoothbore (about 500 feet away); Apache Prisoners (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola Beach.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Captain Richard G. Bradford (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Fort Pickens Old Fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

2. Fort Pickens Old Fort

Fort Pickens cannon and Battery Pensacola image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

3. Fort Pickens cannon and Battery Pensacola

Accidental explosion in old fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

4. Accidental explosion in old fort

Bastion D wall after explosion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

5. Bastion D wall after explosion

Entering original fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

6. Entering original fort

Fort Pickens area entrance sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 1, 2015

7. Fort Pickens area entrance sign

<i>Fort Pickens: Pensacola Harbor, Florida</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Currier & Ives

8. Fort Pickens: Pensacola Harbor, Florida

Lithograph published by Currier & Ives between 1860 and 1870. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 758 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 3, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 8. submitted on January 3, 2015.