Florida
Old Fort Park
A Neighborhood Fort
Tallahassee's Old Fort Park is in
the heart of the city's beautiful
Myer's Park neighborhood..
Confederate Fortifications
The well-preserved earthworks
were constructed to defend
Florida's capital city from
expected Northern attack, but
never came under fire.
Old Fort Park, in Tallahassee's
historic Myer's Park neighborhood,
is a surviving redoubt from the
city's Civil War fortifications.
Constructed during the winter of
1864-1865 in the wake of the Battle
of Marianna, the fort stood atop a
strategic hilltop that commanded
the southeastern approaches to
the city. Sometimes called Fort
Houston, because it stood on the
Houston Plantation, the fort is
remarkably well-preserved.
Although the old fort never came under fire, its existence demonstrates just how
determined Floridians were to defend their capital city. Left pretty much on their own
by the Confederate government, local men and boys organized into military
companies and marched into battle at nearby Natural Bridge. Their courage and
determination helped preserve Tallahassee's status as the only Confederate capital
east of the Mississippi never taken by Federal troops.
Old Fort Park is located on Old Fort Drive near Myer's Park. The fort is now a city park
and is open during daylight hours.
To learn more about Tallahassee,
be sure to visit our online book store by clicking
the "Books" button at the top of this page.
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