This is the inside view of Fort Jefferson, the bastion once called the Gibraltar of the Gulf. This place was a hub of activity, a small city really, during the Civil War, as union soldiers garrisoned the fort and laborers worked to complete. As many as 2,000 people populated the island You can imagine soldiers doing drill here. Now, seagrapes, buttonwoods, gumbo limbo and seaside mahoe trees stand in their place. During the spring and fall, they provide cover and food for a host of migrating birds. There's a small fountain to the left of this area where birds dart in to get a quick drink and bath, a perfect spot for us to relax and watch our feathered friends. Photo by David Sedore
RETURN TO THE TOUR PAGE. RETURN TO THE MAIN PAGE