Fort McRee
|
|
Fort McRee was a historic military fort constructed by the United States to defend Pensacola and its important natural harbor. It was constructed between 1834 and 1839 and consisted of a three-tiered fort and a detached water battery. It was located on the eastern tip of Perdido Key. It had a highly unusual shape because of its position on a small, narrow island.
In the defense of Pensacola Bay, Fort McRee was accompanied by Fort Pickens, located across Pensacola Pass from Fort McRee on Santa Rosa Island, and Fort Barrancas, located across Pensacola Bay on the grounds of what is now Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola.
Fort McRee, along with Fort Barrancas, served the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Fort Pickens holds the distinction of being the only Southern fort held by the Union for the duration of that war.
In November 1861, Fort McRee was bombarded heavily by Union forces at Fort Pickens, and by two ships, Niagara and Richmond. When Confederate forces abandoned Pensacola in May of 1862, they burned Fort McRee and several other buildings in the area believed to be of strategic value. Coastal erosion further damaged the fort through the beginning of the 20th century. It was destroyed in 1906 by a hurricane. Some of its remains can still be seen submerged along the shore of Perdido Key.