Inside Fort Pickens, which was built in 1834 to protect Pensacola Bay.

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After the War of 1812, the US government sought to better defend all of its major ports. Pensacola Bay, and its Navy yard, was considered to be of upmost importance. So a series of forts were planned on the barrier islands around Pensacola Bay. Fort Pickens was the largest of the forts, and construction began in 1829 and was completed in 1834. Over 21.5 million bricks were used in the construction of the fort. The labor was provided by enslaved people, who toiled in difficult conditions. Many suffered heat exhaustion, and others caught yellow fever. When it was completed, it was one of the largest brick structures along the Gulf Coast.

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Canon on display at Fort Pickens, a fort built in 1834 in the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

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Fort Pickens, an old fort built in 1834 to protect Pensacola Bay. It was in use as some sort of defensive fortification through World War II. It is now part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

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A pelican waiting on a fishing pier to catch some lunch, at Fort Pickens in the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Tags:   Fort Pickens Gulf Islands National Seashore Pensacola Florida Pensacola Beach Pelican

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