Fort George
British cannon aim out from a
reconstructed rampart at Fort
George on the Pensacola
Archaeological Trail.
Colonial Archaeological Trail - Pensacola, Florida
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Pensacola's Colonial Archaeological Trail, Florida
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Pensacola's Colonial Archaeological Trail, Florida
Colonial Archaeological Trail
The trail through downtown Pensacola takes visitors
back in time with exhibits, ruins and even
reconstructed fortifications.
Florida's Colonial Past Displayed
The beautiful coastal city of Pensacola has
developed a unique way of displaying its
colonial past.

The Colonial Archaeological Trail takes
visitors on a walking tour of ruins and other
exhibits that detail the forts and other
structures that existed in the Florida city from
1752-1821. An outstanding project that
enhances the Historic Pensacola Village
complex, the trail reveals traces of the "old"
Pensacola that is buried deep beneath the
new.

The trail begins at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr.,
Florida State Museum on Jefferson facing
Plaza Ferdinand VII in downtown Pensacola.
The museum features exhibits that explain
the history of the ancient city as well as many
artifacts recovered from excavations in the
downtown area.

The trail then leads across the street to the
Plaza, where archaeologists have revealed
the foundations of an Officers' Room and
Kitchen built by the British during the early
years of the American Revolution. U.S. troops
later occupied the structure during Andrew
Jackson's 1814 and 1818 occupations of
Pensacola.

The trail then leads along to the ruins of the
Commanding Officers' Compound built or
rebuilt by the British after 1767 and also used
by the Spanish when they regained control of
Pensacola in 1783. An adjacent interpretive
sign points out the site where Andrew
Jackson accepted possession of West
Florida for the United States in 1821.

Other highlights on the trail include the ruins
of wells, kitchens, the British Government
House, historic St. Michael's Cemetery
(designated for use by the King of Spain in
1807), and a small park incorporating part of
the site of Fort George.

The latter site, Fort George, was the scene of
one of the largest battles of the American
Revolution. The victory here by allied forces
permanently ended England's hold on the
Gulf Coast of the present-day United States.
There is no charge to explore the Colonial
Archaeological Trail, which winds its way
along the sidewalks of downtown Pensacola.

More information is available at the Historic
Pensacola Village, which is located at 205
East Zaragosa Street, or from the T.T.
Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum on
Jefferson Street in downtown Pensacola. The
displays are well-marked and feature
interpretive panels and, in many cases,
wooden overlooks.
A British Well
This well is thought to have
been dug by the British in
1771 and was used during
the Battle of Pensacola.
Officers' Room Site
An exhibit on Plaza Ferdinand
VII explains the ruins of a
structure that was used as an
officers' room and kitchen by
British troops during the
American Revolution.
Custom Search
Copyright 2011 by Dale Cox
All rights reserved.