The fort was begun in 1829, completed in 1834, and used until 1947. Over 21.5 million bricks were required, most made locally and barged to the island.
Ironically, the only action the Fort saw was when the country was at war with itself. Fort Pickens was one of four seacoast forts in the South that remained in Union control during the Civil War. In 1861, Union forces at Fort Pickens faced Confederates holding the mainland. Fort Pickens traded shots with Fort Barrancas across the bay but due to the limitations of the cannons of the time, very little damage was caused by either side.
This fort is also unusual in that it was modified over the years, most notably the construction of Battery Pensacola in 1898 covering almost half the parade ground of the original fort. Smooth bore cannon were replaced, recycled, or converted to rifled cannon.
To log this cache go to the sign in the center of the remaining parade ground, directily behind Battery Pensacola. The title subject in the upper left corner says Converting a Cannon. Answer the following question: What year was the 10-inch smoothbore cannon converted to an 8-inch rifled cannon by inserting an 8-inch rifled sleeve? The answer is NOT 1898, so don't try it...lol. Please do not put your answer in your log entry, even encrypted. Send the answer to me in an e-mail prior to making your log entry.
Be aware there is a charge per vehicle to enter the park area containing Fort Pickens and all of the Batterys and the Fort close at sundown. The pass is good for one week.