This fort was completed during the Civil War and served the Union military against the Confederate so well that it was never actually attacked. The site became a state historic site in 1985 and since then has served the citizens of Key West and their visitors as a museum and a piece of well-preserved Key West history. The Park Service has been amidst a giant renovation project which has made much of the site inaccessible for a number of years, but you can take a guided tour of the site, offered twice a day, or wander about at your leisure on the grounds. The north wall wall is where the guns were mounted, and they are open to visitors now afer having been restored.

The surrounding grounds of the fort offer very nice beach and picnic areas, and is a hot spot for snorkeling. See our Beaches page for a link to info on the beach and snorkeling here. It's also a good sunset-viewing spot if you prefer a quieter place than Mallory Square for your sunsets. Admission charges to the Site are cheap, and it's opem dvery day from 8am to sunset.