Ft. Desoto - St. Petersburg
Fort Desoto is a Pinellas County Park located at the mouth of Tampa Bay in Saint Petersburg, Florida. The park is very close to St. Pete Beach and offers boating, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, bicycling, skating, running, nature trails, historical fort, fishing piers, doggy beach, shelling, birding, camping, and swimming.
In 2005, this park was voted by Dr. Leatherman, also known as, Dr. Beach as the #1 Beach in the nation. There are two designated swim areas. One, is at East beach where lifeguards are present during certain hours. The other is at North Beach in a shallow, protected lagoon, and in the Gulf just past the lagoon. Lifeguards are present during certain hours. There is no entrance fee, but toll roads provide access to Fort Desoto County Park.
The largest park within the Pinellas County Park System, this 1,136 acres is made up of five interconnected islands. First opened on December 21, 1962, when the state toll road named the Pinellas Bayway was completed, this park was dedicated May 11, 1963, to be forever used as a public park. Annual park attendance is close to 3 million visitors.
The 12-inch mortar battery, located at the fort for which the park was named, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on February 7, 1978. Adding to the historical interest at Fort De Soto, two British breech-loading, rapid-fire rifles of 1890 vintage were installed in March 1982. Markers showing the original building locations and a Quartermaster Storehouse Museum, which opened in November 2000, add to the park's historic interest.
Renovation and conversion of the East Beach concession building to a picnic shelter was completed in 1991. The new picnic shelter can easily accommodate 200 visitors.
A short history of Fort De Soto Beach
On May 30, 1539, a well known Spanish explorer came to the Tampa Bay area and began a conquest which would change the world. Hernando De Soto came ashore on or near the south shores of Tampa Bay. He began his expedition of the southeastern region of what is now the United States, encountering Indians and hard times as he passed through this beautiful territory. He died on May 21, 1542 and was buried in the Mississippi River to prevent his body from being taken by the Indians.
The recorded history of the island known as Mullet Key began in February 1849 when a group of U.S. Army Engineers, aboard the schooner Phoenix, anchored offshore to survey the coastline for possible use as a coastal defense area. Among them was a young Brevet Colonial named Robert E. Lee.
The Civil War broke out in 1861, with no fortification on either Mullet or Egmont Keys. The two islands played a minor role during the Civil War. Union troops set up a blockade using the two islands. Any confederates attempting to run the blockade could be seen by troops perched atop the Egmont Key lighthouse.
The first signs of construction on the Mullet Key military post began in November 1898. On April 4, 1900, the military reservation was named Fort De Soto. Fort De Soto was officially named a sub-post of Fort Dade on Egmont Key at that time.
Post buildings were constructed between early 1900 and 1906. There were 29 buildings including a 100 foot long barracks, a hospital, a stable, a guardhouse, a shop for blacksmiths and carpenters, an administration office, a mess hall and kitchen, a bake house and a storehouse. If you go there you will still see some of the concrete pillars that still exist. Take the walking tour along the cobblestone walkway and see photos of the actual buildings. Through its long history as a protector of Tampa Bay waters, never once had a shell been fired at an enemy.
During WWII, Fort De Soto was used for bombing practice. About 20 years ago, a maintenance crew working with a backhoe came across an undetonated bomb. A few days later the bomb was detonated and the exposion could be heard 10 miles away.
Fort De Soto Park is located at the southern tip of Pinellas county. It is considered one of Florida's true natural and historical treasures.
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