Fort Pickens

Fort Pickens is located in Pensacola, Forida, a large fort that was one of constructed in 1829. It has become a major tourist attract that educates visitors about the naval history of the city.

The fort intended to defend the naval yard and of Pensacola itself. Being the largest, it was reinforced even further in response to the famed attack and surrender of Fort Sumter in April, 1861.

Named after Major General Andrew Pickens, who commanded the South Carolina militia, the fort has been totally mired and baptised in war.

In November 1861, the fort, in coordination with the US ships Richmond and Niagara, the fort relentlessly shelled Confederate military positions in forts McRee and Barrancas with nearly five thousand rounds. This was only concluded when the Confederate army withdrew from Pensacola in May, 1862.

The fort is open each day beginning at 7am to 10pm. Visitors can even partake in self guided tours during the forts hours from 8am until sundown, walking among the ten artillery positions in the fort, reinforced in concrete. An extra artillery piece was even added to the fort as recently as the 1940's as a measure against long range military bombers, guided missiles and even atomic bombs!