| FLORIDA
Olustee
Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park
located on US 90 (a short distance south of I-10),
15 miles east of Lake City and two miles east of Olustee
386-758-0400, www.floridastateparks.org/olustee
Road map
Park commemorates Florida’s largest Civil War battle fought Feb. 20, 1864. Union troops under Gen. Quincy Gillmore, who was hoping to expand Federal control in the state, bumped up against 5,000 Confederates under Gen. Joseph Finegan. Gillmore’s attacks failed and the Union troops retired to Jacksonville where they stayed the rest of the war. The battle is famous in part for the use of large numbers of United States Colored Troops, including the famous 54th Massachusetts of “Glory” fame. A mile-long walking trail highlights the action. Park open daily 8 am–dusk. Interpretive center open daily 9 am–5 pm. Free.
Pensacola and Area
General visitor info: www.visitpensacola.com
Fort Pickens
Santa Rosa Beach, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore
850-934-2600, www.nps.gov/guis.
Note: Storm damage has disabled the road leading to the fort. Visitors face a four-hour roundtrip walk or a difficult bike ride to the site. The fort itself remains open for self-guided tours 8:30 am–dusk. Check park website before visiting or see the status of park road at www.pensacolasgreatest.com/FortPickens.html.
The largest of several forts built to defend Pensacola Harbor, Pickens gained the national spotlight when area Union troops abandoned other forts in the area and moved to Pickens in January 1861. Things heated up when Confederate authorities maintained that Fort Pickens and Fort Sumter (Charleston Harbor) among other Federal installations, were the property of the new Southern government. Unlike Sumter, Pickens remained in Union hands throughout the war.
Tallahassee Area
Natural Bridge Battlefield State Historic Site
7502 Natural Bridge Road, Tallahassee FL 32305
15 miles southeast of Tallahassee
850-922-6007, www.floridastateparks.org/naturalbridge
Road map
A pick-up group of Confederate volunteers, boys and invalids fought off a series of Union attacks March 6, 1865, saving the Florida capital city from occupation. Tallahassee was the only Confederate state capital east of the Mississippi not occupied during the war. Park, with interpretive markers and monument is open 8 am–dusk. Annual reenactment first weekend in March.
Museum of Florida History
500 S Bronough St, Tallahassee FL 32399-0250
850-245-6400, dhr.dos.state.fl.us/museum
Road map
Civil War section includes flags, soldier items and much information on the state during the war. Excellent Civil War section on the museum’s website. Monday-Friday: 9 am - 4:30 pm; Saturday 10 am–4:30 pm; Sunday noon–4:30 pm. Free.
Old Capitol
Apalachee Pkwy and South Monroe Street, Tallahassee FL 32301
850-487-1902
Road map
Administered by the Museum of Florida History, this building has been in this location since 1845. Exhibits include Civil War material. See museum website for details. Open Monday-Friday 9 am–4:30 pm; Saturday 10 am–4:30 pm; Sunday noon–4:30 pm.
Key West
General information: www.fla-keys.com
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
End of Southard Street on Truman Annex
305-292-6713, www.floridastateparks.org/forttaylor
Road map
One of a series of forts built in the mid-1800s to defend the coast, Fort Taylor remained in Union hands during the war and served the US Navy’s Gulf Squadron. Civil War armament, exhibits featured as well as good beach access. Fort open 8 am–sundown daily. Guided tours at noon and 2 pm. Fee charged. Good Civil War information at www.forttaylor.org.
Dry Tortugas National Park (Fort Jefferson)
70 miles west of Key West, accessible by boat from Key West
305-242-7700, www.nps.gov/drto
Ferry service: www.yankeefreedom.com or www.sunnydayskeywest.com
This isolated fortress is best known for the imprisonment of Dr. Samuel Mudd and other Lincoln assassination conspirators. Open daylight hours. $5/adults entrance fee to fort.
Good general information on the Civil War in Florida:
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