A Fort for Everyone
A Good Decade for Forts
For whatever reason, the era around the 1850s was a good time for military forts in Key West. During this period, three forts were built along Key West’s southern perimeter. From west to east, these forts were Fort Zachary Taylor, West Martello, and East Martello. Today, they look like this…
While these forts are interesting to visit and explore, their military significance is somewhat in question. Specifically, no major military conflict ever occurred at any of the forts. No defensive shot was ever even fired. Before the Civil War, the Union controlled the forts. During the Civil War, despite being deep in Confederate Territory, the forts remained in Union control. Basically, they were not worth fighting over. That was then…this is now. Today, the forts mostly still exist. Each fort provides a different entertainment experience. No matter your tastes, these attractions of Key West provide a fort for everyone.
Fort Zachary Taylor…the Classic Experience
For the die hard military buffs, Fort Zachary Taylor is clearly your best option. It’s the biggest and best preserved fort of the three. Actually, the fort was still in use through World War II. Soon thereafter, the fort became a historic landmark within the Zachary Taylor State Park. Again, for the classic fort/military tourist experience, Fort Zachary Taylor is where you want to be.
For those of you that may end up in Key West on a cruise stop, do not pay for an expensive shore excursion. You can just walk to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Not only can you tour the Fort, but the park also has one of the best public beaches in Key West.
West Martello Fort…the Garden Club
So, exploring old, well preserved, militarily insignificant forts is not your thing, how about a garden club. Yep, the West Martello fort is a garden club. Who can blame them. West Martello was not nearly as well preserved as Fort Zachary Taylor. No one is going to tour West Martello when Fort ZT is just down the road. Therefore, rather than tear down the ruins and make a beach club, in 1949, they decided to save the site and make it a garden club.
Truth be told, I was not miserable at the Garden Club. The place is well done. Furthermore, my wife, Carol, loved the place. Not only was the foliage beautiful, but they seemed to really focus on orchids. Carol is obsessed with orchids. She thinks by visiting these beautiful orchids she will gain the knowledge to save the pathetic “orchid” that is currently being tortured in our living room.
East Martello Fort…Robert the Doll
Last, but certainly not least, is the East Martello Fort. As forts go, it’s not nearly as impressive as Fort Zachary Taylor, but better than West Martello. Basically, “they” cleaned up the fort and turned it into a general history museum of Key West.
I am sure there was lots of interesting information in the Fort East Martello Museum. However, to be honest, I did not pay attention to much of it. I was there for one reason only. I came to pay my respects to Robert the Doll.
Robert is a horror legend. He is the inspiration for the horror movie “Chuckie.” Robert is about 120 years old. Over most of the 1900s, Robert’s owners credited Robert with a variety of supernatural and haunting powers. In 1994, Robert was infamous enough to be donated to this museum where he remains to this day.
Even with the protective museum glass, Robert manages to continue his reign of terror. Bad things happen to tourists who do not respect Robert. Signs warn you to ask permission before taking a picture of Robert. He probably won’t answer, but ask anyway. The display includes many letters from past visitors apologizing to Robert for disrespecting him (i.e. trying to reverse his curse). There is even a letter from then Governor Jeb Bush wishing Robert a happy 101st birthday. Carol and I showed immense respect to Robert during out visit. I recommend you do the same.
Wrap It Up
There you go. If you like a good fort, Key West is the place to be. You can easily visit all three forts in one day at a total cost of $24, plus a side donation to support Robert. Key West has a fort for everyone. Have a wonderful day. PT
I hope you have enjoyed reading “A Fort for Everyone” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.
Ninety miles west of Key West, there is one more fort worth visiting https://travelingwithpt.com/?s=Tortu
If you want more details on Robert the Doll, here you go https://www.artisthousekeywest.com/robert-the-doll
