Zachary taylor 17841850 served in the army for some four decades, commanding troops in the war of 1812, the black hawk war 1832 and the second of the seminole wars 18351842. Beginning with the construction of the fort in 1845 through the civil war, spanishamerican war, world war i, and world war ii, key west experienced a. Fort zachary taylor historic state park key west all. He served as president from 1849 until his death in 1850. Taylor had fought in the war of 1812 and a couple of the indianslaughtering wars, so he does seem like a likely candidate to have a fort named after him. Fort zachary taylor was placed on the national register of historic places in 1971, became a national historic landmark in 1973, and was adopted into the florida state parks system in 1976. About this collection zachary taylor papers digital.
Fort zachary taylor historic state park florida state parks. As i got home from key west and started reading about the history of the fort i came across the following account from a soldier at fort zachary taylor sent to the sunbury american, dated june 16, 1862 a very sad accident happened here one day last week, which has cast a gloom over the whole regiment. Exploring fort zachary taylor in key west emerging civil war. He was succeeded by his vice president, millard fillmore. He was a southerner who espoused many antisouthern causes, an aristocrat with a strong feeling for the common man, an energetic yet cautious and conservative soldier. The 12th president of the united states, zachary taylor 17841850, conveniently died after just sixteen months in office. Locals consider fort zachary taylor beach as the truest beach among all key west beaches. Learn more about taylors life and career in this article. In the mid1980s, clara rising, a retired university of florida humanities professor, was dining with a history buff friend when zachary taylors death came up. The fort was built in mid1800s and was used during the civil war and the spanishamerican war.
Zachary taylor was a soldiers soldier, a man who lived up to his nickname, old rough and ready. Jack bauer 19261987 was a professor of history at rensselaer polytechnic institute in troy, new york, and the author or editor of many books on american military history, including the mexican war, 18461848, american secretaries of the navy, and u. One place you can go to get a big blast from the past is at fort zachary taylor state park. Positioned one and onehalf miles east of the washita river, and about eighteen miles north of the red river, the site of fort washita was approved by gen. Fort zachary taylor historic state park key west 2020 all. He was a second cousin to james madison taylor was a general in the united states army. Camp zachary taylor, named for louisville resident and american president zachary taylor, was a world war i training camp built in 1917, the largest of 16 such camps that dotted the united states to prepare the united states young men for the great war. Fort zachary taylor is a perfect example of the wealth of history florida has to offer. Jun 26, 2018 fort zachary taylor, also known as fort zac by locals, this place should be on your list.
Jan 24, 2014 ive heard good things about hamiltons series though not before i finished reading biographies of zachary taylor in early 2014 so ive added the two volumes to my followup list. This was at least convenient for those building the fort on key west, since they now had somebody cool to name it after. Fort zachary taylor historic state park key west all you. In the spring of 1829, troops began to build a new fort crawford on an elevated plain located on the mainland, safe from the floods that had plagued the first fort. Most history books and classes fail to teach that zachary taylor was a classmate of jefferson davis at west point academy and that davis married taylors daughter. For the army post in washington territory, see fort taylor washington. Camp zachary taylor, named for louisville resident and american president zachary taylor, was a world war i training camp built in 1917, the largest of 16 such camps that dotted the united states to prepare the united states young men for the. Taylor previously was a career officer in the united states army, rose to the rank of major general and became a national hero as a result of his victories in the mexicanamerican war. Elected on the ticket of the whig party as a hero of the mexicanamerican war 184648, he died only 16 months after taking office. Furthermore, during the 1800s washington, dc was a very unhealthy place to be during the summer.
Fort zachary taylor historic sp monroe county, florida, us get directions all months jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec all years last 10 years current year global big day may 9, 2020 october big day oct 19, 2019 global big day may 4, 2019 october big day oct 6, 2018 global big day may 5, 2018 global big day may, 2017. Dec 10, 2019 as i got home from key west and started reading about the history of the fort i came across the following account from a soldier at fort zachary taylor sent to the sunbury american, dated june 16, 1862 a very sad accident happened here one day last week, which has cast a gloom over the whole regiment. Zachary taylor, 12th president of the united states 184950. Unfortunately, it would be another 30 years on nov. Fort zachary taylor, also known as fort zac by locals, this place should be on your list. The fort zachary taylor historic state park, better known simply as fort taylor or fort zach to locals is a florida state park and national historic landmark centered on. Fort washita the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and culture.
President zachary taylor, who died in office earlier that year. Youll find fort zachary taylor historic state park a little. Fort howard may have been a relatively small fort and in operation for under 40 years 18161853, but it played host to multiple major figures in history. Things to do near fort zachary taylor historic state park. In the stacks at the filson historical society lay panoramic photos of an old us army training site that once was a major part of louisville. This happened when the fort, named for him in 1850, was redesignated battery osceola in 1899. One of the only natural beaches in the florida keys, the shoreline is mostly made up of ground coral. Our web site continues to highlight and preserve the history and legacy of fort taylor located at fort zachary taylor historic state park in key west fl.
A casual look at zachary taylor s health history shows that he was pretty well beaten up, medically, by the summer of 1850. Taylors birthplace is only about 30 minutes from where i live and i have to admithis life story is more interesting than i originally suspected. Zachary taylor november 24, 1784 july 9, 1850 was the 12th president of the united states, serving from march 1849 until his death in july 1850. On the southern edge of key west, fort taylor predates the civil war and is a national historic monument housing.
The park, which now covers a total of 54 acres, is a national historic landmark that played a significant role in floridas early development. Intrigued by the concept, rising decided to do some research. Earlier in his career colonel taylor defeated the followers of indian chief osceola at the battle of lake okeechobee in december 1837 during the second seminole. Many people crossed paths at fort crawford during its heydey. Our goal is to once again provide a historical accounting of fort taylors history and its valuable treasures. Army, he achieved his greatest success in the mexican war, propelling him to the nations highest office in the election of 1848.
Created published engraved between 1861 and 1865, printed between 1880 and 1889 subject headings. A casual look at zachary taylors health history shows that he was pretty well beaten up, medically, by the summer of 1850. Our goal is to once again provide a historical accounting of. Mexico, differences between the composition of zachary taylor and winfield scotts armies and the threats they faced, and not least the great difference in policies pursued by the two commanders meant that the u. The second man to serve as commandant of the fort, and the most distinguished officer to serve at fort howard, was major zachary taylor who arrived in the spring of 1817. Fort zachary taylor state park history and information guide. Thus, it would have been easy enough for mother nature to carry off zachary taylor without help from a poisoner. Fort crawford, built in 1816, solidified american control of the region. Fort howard, wi military history of the upper great lakes. Jack bauer 19261987 was a professor of history at rensselaer polytechnic institute in troy, new york, and the author or editor of many books on american military history, including the mexican war, 18461848, american secretaries of the. The fort zachary taylor historic state park, better known simply as fort taylor is a florida state park and national historic landmark centered on a civil wa. Ways to experience fort zachary taylor historic state park. Confederate troops occupied it briefly, but the union retook it when the rebels abandoned it. Summary print shows fort zacharytaylor on the coast of key west, florida.
Designed to house 500 soldiers, its bricks and mortar were diverted to fort zachary taylor in key west. Fort washita the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and. Considering the course his life took, one might wonder how zachary taylor ever came to be elected the twelfth president of the united states. Throughout the 1850s, construction on fort taylor was slow. Zachary taylor took command of the construction in the summer of 1829, and jefferson davis, a lieutenant at fort crawford, supervised work at a sawmill on the yellow river that provided lumber for construction. There were at least 11 kentucky governors, 9kentucky secretaries of state, ambassadors, and other political leaders. National park service the presidents zachary taylor. Some of the group read books, i went for a long swim and. Fort taylor 2 18461947 construction of this third system fort began in jun 1845 and was essentially complete in 1866. And thus the construction of fort zachary taylor was begun.
Ive heard good things about hamiltons series though not before i finished reading biographies of zachary taylor in early 2014 so ive added the two volumes to my followup list. History construction of the fort began in 1845, shortly after florida became a state. One better grasps how soldiers lived as they defended the nations southeastern coastline. A true oneofakind experience, visiting fort taylor not only provides a magnificent natural setting to birdwatch or swim, but also to immerse yourself in u. Ok, i have been to three different kayaking experiences, and two previous snorkeling. Designated a national historic landmark in 1973, floridas southernmost state park is popular for recreation, as well as u. The collection is made up primarily of general correspondence and family papers of taylor 17841850, with some autobiographical material, business and military records, printed. It seems like history is around every corner in key west. He was selected by the whigs to be their candidate because he was a.
The second fort crawford the second fort crawford, as painted by a. We visited the fort zachary taylor fort at the beginning of the covid 19 restrictions and the fort was empty, it was great to be able to explore the fort and read the information signs, they were very informative. The fort zachary taylor historic state park, better known simply as fort taylor or fort zach to locals is a florida state park and national historic landmark centered on a civil war era fort located near the southern tip of key west, florida. The zachary taylor papers, one of twentythree presidential collections in the library of congress manuscript division, contains approximately 650 items dating from 1814 to 1931, with the bulk from 1840 to 1861. Located in present bryan county, oklahoma, fort washita was established in 1842. Taylor had fought in the war of 1812 and a couple of the indianslaughtering wars, so he does seem like a likely candidate to have a fort.
It has been said that general zachary taylor won the battle but lost the war. Named for zachary taylor and also known as fort zachary taylor. Zachary taylor, who became twelfth president of the united states, commanded the fort as a colonel between 1829 and 1837. At least 18kentucky counties are named for taylors cousins. Declared surplus and turned over to the navy in 1947. Just take a ride on the famous conch train and youll see. Walk the redbrick corridors of fort zachary taylor, past cannon and gun ports, and history becomes more real than books and photos can depict.
Welcome to fort zachary taylor historic state park. Decades of inefficiency, plague, extreme weather and human rights abuses would mar the years between the conception of fort zach and its. So my wife and i rented two chairs, and a big umbrella for 30 bucks, for. You want to abide in history and see a real civil war era fort. England historical enterprises books and publications is devoted to historical research on the military history of fort taylor and related united states army and navy installations in key west. For information about activities, rental equipment, and the cayo hueso cafe please call 3052950037. Dec 05, 2019 designed to house 500 soldiers, its bricks and mortar were diverted to fort zachary taylor in key west. Zachary taylor november 24, 1784 july 9, 1850 was the 12th president of the united states. Fort zachary taylor historic state park key west 2020. Fort zachary taylor historic state park key west, fl. The best biographies of zachary taylor my journey through. Army conducted not one but two very different occupations in mexico during 184648. Zachary taylor, commander of the second military department. The beach sees a lot of returning guests who mainly visit the area for the snorkeling opportunities it offers.
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