FORT DADE-EGMONT KEY
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FORT DADE-EGMONT KEY |
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NAME: Fort Dade-Egmont Key COUNTY: Hillsborough ROADS: 2WD GRID: 3 CLIMATE: Hot in Summer BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime there isn't a hurricane |
COMMENTS:
No residents. Now a park. Egmont Key is an island in the mouth of Tampa Bay that is only accessable by boat. There is a ferry and boats can be chartered to explore the island. The two ends are wildlife sanctuarys. Foot traffic is the only way to explore. Hurricanes are slowly destroying the ruins of old Fort Dade. REMAINS: 137 year old Light house, Ruins of Ft Dade, various ruins through out the island |
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Fort Dade was an old miltary outpost on Egmont Key that is a relic from the Spanish American War. Being a sister fort to Fort Desoto it saw little to no action. The island was used as a Seminole prison at one time. When troops were stationed there they enjoyed tennis courts, baseball, a movie theatre, and a gymnasium. The mosquitoes made living there unbearable at times. The working lighthouse predates the fort. There is a park ranger on duty. Submitted by: Mike Woodfin I visited Fort Dade and Egmont Key in July 2007 and just wanted to add to the description of what there is to see. There are 4 full individual fort structures there you can walk around in and tour thru. They are in various states of disrepair and in some cases parts of the walls have fallen due to time, weather, and erosion, but they are all sound and sturdy enough to go thru. In addition to these forts there are various remains of power stations, observation posts, bunkers, and other military relics. There is a broad sidewalk that leads to all of the remains, and any areas that are unsafe have been marked off as well. The sidewalk eventually leads to a red brick road that takes you to the site of the military town. This is quite a sight, as the remains of the original houses, barracks, gymnasium, firehouse, and many other buildings are all there laid out like a regular community, complete with old photos posted showing what each of the buildings looked like back then. In some cases all that is left are piles of bricks and bits of concrete, others have the foundations intact and a few have partial walls remaining. Following the road further leads to the remaining track for the narrow gauge railroad that ran across the island, and the original guardhouse, now being restored. The brick path ends near the historic 1858 lighthouse, still in operation. There is just too much of Fort Dade and Egmont Key to list here. Fort Dade is a "true ghost", as it was once a fully functioning town with a population of over 300 and is now completely abandoned. Anyone with an interest in ghost towns and history should make a point of catching a ferry ride over and experiencing it for themselves. Submitted by Jim Pike. |
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