Track storms, and stay intheknow and prepared for whats coming. History of desoto early years desoto is one of the oldest settlements in north texas. Housed in a reconstruction of the forts old postal building, the museum tells the story of the fort through historic photographs, military documents and spanishamerican war artifacts. See more ideas about florida beaches vacation, florida beaches, clearwater florida. According to the book, the tampa triangle the flirty fisherman ghost is one such story. Later documentation tells of similar accounts, such as an 1823 book, the natural and aboriginal history of tennessee, which tells of a band of white people who were killed or driven out of kentucky and west tennessee. Legends of fort mountain, georgia legends of america.
While it is said that the weapons of fort desoto never fired on an enemy, it was clear they played a significant part in the evolution of modern weaponry. During the spanishamerican war, the us navy began construction of a gun fort on mullet key, one of the islands in the mouth of tampa bay, to protect the entrance to the harbor. Historian frasier mountain recalls a wood sign over the entrance to the house property marked desoto. From its early history as an outpost and a threat against native american residents, to its later days as a booming cattle town, to modern times as a corporate center, the city has changed dramatically, although it still preserves much of its heritage in its. Home page history this museum is an authentic replica of a building from the spanishamerican war era. Lee that first mapped it before he left to serve the confederacy. The fort was the site of a meeting between seminole chiefs and colonel william j. We do know that for the last 400 years our entire regions attracted a wide array of western and world travellers. You must book almost a year before you plan to visit especially during feb.
Finally purchased by pinellas county, florida, 11 aug 1948. Egmont key sate park is only accessibly by boat, so be sure to book ahead if you need a ride. The tocobaga indians lived here and on surrounding barrier islands from 1,000 a. Fort desoto park property changed hands several times in the 1930s and 40s. Declared surplus in 1928 but reused during world war ii. They lived on mullet key and other barrier islands in the area, thanks to the plentiful fish, clams, conch, oysters and whelks from the gulf of mexico, supplemented by occasional game food as well as the wild plants they gathered. Ruins of fort dade from the spanishamerican war, the egmont key lighthouse, wildlife, wellkept trails, beautiful beaches, and snorkeling. Being able to show up and jump straight into the activities was pleasurable and convenient. Before leaving the fort area, stop in at the quartermaster museum. Some of the first were the tocobaga indians, who enjoyed the bounty of the harvest from tampa bay and the gulf of mexico. Home page history for over 400 years, the tampa bay area of. We, on the other hand, were exhausted only from all our adventuring.
Not familiar to many visitors, is the historic 1890s fort that is on the island. Army post established in 1841 as camp ogden during the second seminole war by captain t. This site is located in the westcentral region of the state. Fort desoto park reservations pinellas county, florida.
Infantry who later died of cholera at fort riley, kansas, 3 aug 1855. If you would like to further support my channel and join tater nation, click the link below. The friends of fort desoto is a nonprofit organization whose mission is, supporting the preservation, conservation and promotion of ft. Army post established 11 aug 1841 during the second seminole war by captain t. This quartermaster greets visitors to the museum when they walk through the door.
Hitch top tent currently serves nine campgrounds within the tampa bay area and is hoping to expand. Coming into contact with a park that has a beach and the opportunity to camp is always a winwin for us. Go swimming, canoeing, hiking, cycling, or simply rest. Several tour companies offer relatively cheap rides to and from the island, paired with snorkeling excursions at. Select area 1, 2 or 3 to view campsites in that area. Home page history this museum is an authentic replica of a. Fort desoto is a place thats been attracting campers and fishers for a long time.
Shell key ferry hubbards marina tampa bay ferry ft. Turn left on pinellas bayway sr679 to fort desoto park entrance. The park is very popular due to its beautiful beaches, fishing and views of the gulf of mexico. Worth, commander of the tampa district, in may 1842.
Egmont key ferry from fort desoto park hubbards marina. From its early history as an outpost and a threat against native american residents, to its later days as a booming cattle town, to modern times as a corporate center, the city has changed dramatically, although it. Take i275hwy 19, exit 17 pinellas bayway54th avenue so. Pete beach and clearwater and may have explored mullet key. Desoto state park is located on top of look out mountain about 8 miles from ft. A 238site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a camp store. Exploring the history of tampa bays haunted fort desoto. It borders the little river canyon which is 12 miles long and 600 feet deep in some areas making it the deepest canyon in alabama and one of the deepest east of the mississippi river. It was in 1847, just eleven years after texas won its independence from mexico, that families first settled in the area that is now desoto.
Exploring the ruins of fort dade, egmont key state park. Fort smith sebastian county encyclopedia of arkansas. Fort desoto park 3500 pinellas bayway south tierra verde, fl 33715. It was abandoned by the 1920s, and eventually became a state park. Early in the history of arkansas and the city, fort smith was an important point of contact to the american west. At this familyfriendly park, spread over five islands, you can enjoy the awardwinning beaches, birdwatch on the great birding trail, rent bikes, go to the dog beach and more. History desoto falls state park screaming eagle aerial. Today, the four 12inch mortars on display at fort desoto are the only ones remaining in the us, and fort desoto has been placed on the national register of historic places.
The history of fort worth, texas, in the united states is closely intertwined with that of northern texas and the texan frontier. Rebecca genesis every year millions of visitors are drawn to the beautiful and scenic fort desoto park located on the central west coast of florida, its a perfect place to enjoy gorgeous white sand beaches and many other natural amenities. Construction of the fort began in 1898, the year of the spanishamerican war, but the fort never saw any major battles. The tocobaga indians belonged to the safety harbor culture period. Cancellations, changes, rescheduling or early departures require 48 hrs. Fort desoto was located in the north east corner of present day brooksville, on croom road about onehalf mile east of u. In fact, its the largest park within the pinellas county park system. In 1941, the property was sold back to the federal government to be used as a gunnery and bombing range during world war ii. Pinellas county parks and conservation resources is canceling all park shelter reservations through april 30. Exit i275 south using exit 4 to pinellas bayway second red light. Turn left on pinellas baywayhwy 679 and follow to fort desoto park. Jul 10, 2015 after preservation work and removing all the bomb remnants was finished, fort desoto park was opened in 1963.
Edward mercy medical center and sparks regional medical center, which. Home page history for over 400 years, the tampa bay area of florida has attracted a wide variety of visitors to its shores. The mooneyed people were first mentioned in a 1797 book by benjamin smith barton. Jean key along the mullet key bayou in fort desoto park. Fort desoto is a county park on barrier island at the mouth of tampa bay. Rees, engineer officer in charge of construction, announced the completion of the. It was first purchased from the federal government in 1938.
Dip your feet in the water or try fishing at the two piers, where you can also buy fishing supplies. Fort smith is the secondlargest city in arkansas after little rock pulaski county and shares status with greenwood as the county seat of sebastian county. Florida has attracted a wide variety of visitors to its shores. Customers will receive a full refund without penalty. In 1977, the 12inch mortar battery located at the fort was listed in the national register of historic places. Edward mercy medical center and sparks regional medical. You can learn more about the history with a visit to the quartermaster. But they are all very, very popular, and they book up quickly. Curtis parks, one of the first settlers in the desoto. Our ferry boat operates daily in the spring and summer and nearly every day in the fall and winter.