Air Conditioning Repair Of St Petersburg
Fort De Soto Park
Consistently ranked as one of America’s best family beaches and a favorite with locals and savvy visitors alike, Fort De Soto Park offers a wide range of activities for the whole family, not limited just to the beach. The historic landmark is the fort located on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. It was built for the Spanish-American War, yet it never fired a hostile shot. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it offers a fun opportunity for visitors to explore its canons and jail cells. Fort De Soto State Park is actually located on five islands or keys: Bonne Fortune Key, St. Jean Key, St. Christopher Key, Madelaine Key, and the main island, Mullet Key.
Fort De Soto Park
History of Fort De Soto
It was during the mid-19th century that the five keys located at the southern tip of St. Petersburg were first considered for fortification. Utilized for the blockade of Tampa Bay during the Civil War, the keys were abandoned at the end of the conflict until the late 19th century when the United States became involved in the Spanish American War. Feeling exposed and at risk, the citizens of Tampa demanded military defenses for the bay. Due to its close proximity to Cuba and the importance of the port facilities of Tampa, the Secretary of War agreed and ordered the construction of a permanent fort to defend the bay. In late 1898 construction began and by April of 1900, the fort was completed and officially named Fort De Soto, after the famous Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto.
Things to Do in The Park
In addition to exploring the historical fort, there are a number of outdoor activities available within the park. Of course, you can always head to one of the two beautiful white sand beaches, North Beach or East Beach. The beaches of Fort De Soto Park consistently rank among the top beaches in Florida. Or, if you love to fish, then head to one of the two piers, both of which allow fishing and have bait, tackle, and food concessions.
If you’re looking for a little exercise there are seven miles of multi-purpose trails where you can take a walk, run, or bike ride. And if boating is your thing you can use the park’s 800-foot boat ramp to get out on the water. Another option for exploring the park from the water is to rent a kayak or canoe and traverse the 2.5-mile kayak trail that will take you through the five keys that make up the park. Here you can see the mangrove forests and many of the more than 300 species of birds that occupy the area. If you’re lucky, you may even encounter a manatee, dolphin, or sea turtle. And, if all you want to do is let your dog run free and enjoy the great outdoors then head to the dog park where our four-legged friends are allowed on the beach in a designated area.
Air Conditioning Repair Of St Petersburg
Air Conditioning Repair Of St Petersburg
Fort De Soto Park