Fort de Soto, Florida

I had the opportunity to  visit this Fort de Soto recently during the hot summer months. The beach is usually beautiful unfortunately the red tide and a recent storm caused the water to be littered with debris. I looks much prettier from a distance...

It must have been beautiful when the conquistador arrived at this spot. The water is a clear blueish-green.

The area is very hot and tropical with all kinds of wild birds nesting in the area.

Giant palm trees line the walk ways...

 

There are bike trails all over the park but by the time we arrived, they were already gone...

Although the Fort is named after Hernando de Soto, it wasn't built till 1898 as a strategic outpost for the Spanish American war. It was a fully functional fort with a barracks, holding cells, kitchen, mess hall, storehouse and even a hospital.

I cannot imagine how hot these jail cells must have been with the summer heat and humidity that Florida receives.

 

Since the Spanish-American was was called the "splendid little war," meaning it was an easy victory for the United States with very few casualties. I remember my history teacher telling us that more soldiers died from ptomaine poisoning than from actual combat or artillery. 

So the pride of this landmark goes to the types of weaponry on display. 

The remains of the military equipment are rare, one of a kind military pieces that are on display for the public. I'm sure most military enthusiasts would love to see these authentic weapons up close.