We decided to come to the Gulf Islands National Seashore to try out their campground, but soon found out that Ft. Pickens was more than a place to camp.
Our first bicycle ride to the west end of Santa Rosa Island gave us our first glance of the huge old Fort Pickens that still exists.
Fort Pickens was built in 1834 to protect Pensacola Harbor and the Navy Base there. It was continually upgraded as technology changed and it was used for defensive purposes during the Civil War, WWI, and WWII.
Most of the old fort is still intact and visitors are allowed to explore as they see fit.
During the Civil War there was a battle here, but Union Forces occupied the fort throughout the entire War.
There is a small welcome center where you are given self-guided maps, but then a visitor is just turned loose to go explore.
The fort was built with skilled slave labor and the literature states that 21.5 million bricks were used in its construction.
In the 1880s 15 Apache prisoners were held here including Geronimo.
The fort had almost no areas that were off limits for visitors, and very few doors were locked. The National Park Service has decided to just let people roam and explore.
We loved it.
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