The fort was manned by Confederate militia just after secession in January 1861, abandoned, then remanned in June. The fort was not fully completed, but remained in use until 1903. Very little remains of Fort McRee today.įort Massachusetts - Fort built on the Mississippi side of Gulf Islands National Seashore on West Ship Island, twelve miles off the coast, from 1859 to 1866. When the Confederacy abandoned Pensacola in 1862, Fort McRee was burned. During the Civil War, Fort Barrancas was abandoned by Union forces in favor of Fort Pickens.įort McRee - Built on the east side of Perdido Key from 1834-1839, it was a three tiered fort also abandoned by the Union in favor of Fort Pickens. Yes, there were forts here even before the 1797 edition, reaching back to 1698. Yes, slaves were used in its construction.įort Barrancas - Originally the old Spanish fort named Fort San Carlos de Barrancas that was built in 1797, today's Fort Barrancas was rebuilt, with two other forts, to protect the Pensacola Navy Yard. One of only four southern forts never surrendered to the Confederates during the Civil War, despite attacks in 1861 to bring them under control. Largest of the Pensacola forts, and named for Major General Andrew Pickens of the South Carolina militia who fought in the Revolution at Cowpens and the Siege of Ninety-Six.

Fort Pickens - Historic fort built from 1829-1834 on Santa Rosa Island. Learn more at, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The park will announce changes as appropriate, but current conditions do not allow the park to remain open.”įor more information, please follow the park’s social media accounts and website.Ībout Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. “Our priority is to ensure the safest environment possible for park visitors and staff.

“Due to potentially deteriorating conditions forecasted by the National Weather Service Office, high surf, and the likelihood for significant flooding on the park roadways, the park will close the Florida Areas until further notice,” said Superintendent Darrell Echols. 26. All reservations for Fort Pickens Campground will be canceled until further notice. Working closely with the NWS, the park will continue to monitor conditions and will provide updates as necessary.Ĭampers currently in the campground will need to evacuate by noon Monday, Sept. The Mississippi Area, Naval Live Oaks Area, and Highway 399 will remain open at this time. 25, in preparation for Tropical Storm Ian.Ĭlosed areas include the Fort Pickens Area, Perdido Key Area (Johnson Beach), Opal Beach, and Okaloosa Area. –Gulf Islands National Seashore will close the Florida Areas of the park to all visitors beginning at 8 p.m. Gulf Islands National Seashore Closes in Preparation for Tropical Storm Ian

Gulf islands national seashore florida