Question of the Week: 2/19-2/25/24
This week includes the 160th anniversary of the battle of Olustee, the largest Civil War battle fought in Florida. But there are smaller fights and plenty of forts and other locations with Civil War history ties, so…
What’s your favorite Civil War site to visit in Florida? (Or the one at the top of your Florida bucket list?)
The Gamble Plantation in Ellenton. It is the only surviving plantation house in South Florida, the others having succumbed to the weather, insect life and the efficiency of Union Navy Civil War patrols.
I have booked a trip to Try Tortugas this summer and am very excited to finally get to see it.
Mt wife and I tent camped thee a few years ago. We made arrangements through Recreation.gov.
We cooked on our own solid fuel camp stove. When the main tour boat leaves in the afternoon you pretty much own the island -I’ll tell re if you are interested and try to dig up pictures. This was the fort where Confederate prisoners were held. Back in Key West we camped at Boyd’s.
Olustee, where the 115th NY , the Iron-Hearted Regiment, fought.
My favorite in Florida is Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. Pretty much my favorite any where!
Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. It’s been on my bucket liste forever. Hoping to get there next year.
This spring I plan to get to Natural Bridge battlefield. I’ve been to Olustee and really enjoyed it.
There is not much there at the Natural Bridge site.
The battle of Natural Bridge in Florida is a favorite of mine.
I might check out Fort Clinch on my next trip to Florida. I don’t think any actual battles were fought there, but it is a fort.
Dry Tortugas National Park (on my bucket list)
I’d love to visit Dry Tortugas too. For those who enjoy a good murder mystery, try “Flashback” (Anna Pigeon Mysteries Book 11) by Nevada Barr. It’s a great story about a feisty National Park Ranger figuring out who done it with clues tracing back to the Lincoln conspirators’ imprisonment on the island. Extensive flash backs carry the story with Dr. Mudd a major character, as is the fort itself. Good introduction for seeing it. For fans of National Parks, the whole series is great.
There is so much to do in Florida. Gainesville was a battle site. Natural Bridge, Olustee, Fort Clinch, Fort Marion Marianna, Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas, Yellow Fort near Jacksonville, the list goes on. My favorite however, is near Fort Pickens and is a part of Gulf Islands National Seashore located in the campground and unfortunately unmarked. I wish the monument could be replaced.