Fort Jefferson
Fort Jefferson is located in Dry Tortugas National Park. This park is a cluster of seven small islands located 70 miles off the coast of Key West Florida. They were originally named "Las Tortugas (The Turtles) by Ponce de Leon for the abundance of sea turtles that once inhabited the area. The "Dry" was added later due to the lack of fresh water on the islands.
Fort Jefferson was a military installation that guarded the waters off the Florida Keys. During the Civil War, Union warships used the harbor to blockade Southern shipping. It was also used as a prison, mainly for Union deserters. Its most famous prisoner was Dr. Samuel Mudd who participated in the conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln.
0761-1-2
Fort Jefferson
Fort Jefferson is located in Dry Tortugas National Park. This park is a cluster of seven small islands located 70 miles off the coast of Key West Florida. They were originally named "Las Tortugas (The Turtles) by Ponce de Leon for the abundance of sea turtles that once inhabited the area. The "Dry" was added later due to the lack of fresh water on the islands.
Fort Jefferson was a military installation that guarded the waters off the Florida Keys. During the Civil War, Union warships used the harbor to blockade Southern shipping. It was also used as a prison, mainly for Union deserters. Its most famous prisoner was Dr. Samuel Mudd who participated in the conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln.
0761-1-2