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Delving into the deep south: Part II.

Article Excerpt
Trip 8: Southeast Florida and Georgia

These southeastern states were strategic battlegrounds during two centuries. Armies clashed on their landscapes from the Spanish colonial era through the Civil War.

Today, they are home to key military bases. In addition to preserved colonial forts and Revolutionary and Civil War sites, the states' modern installations house several aviation collections, as well as the National Infantry and POW museums.

FLORIDA

Museum of Florida History Tallahassee, (850) 245-6400.

Contains military exhibits "Florida in the Civil War" and "Florida Remembers WWII," plus small amount on the Second Seminole War (1835-42).

Museum of Florida's Military St. Augustine, (904) 824-2872.

Part of Oldest House Museum Complex. Covers Florida soldiers from 1560s through the 1990s.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument St. Augustine, (904) 829-6506.

Oldest masonry fort in the U.S. (built 1672-95) and Spain's northernmost holding. Tours of original fort include rooms with exhibits tracing the fort's history, a video presentation on request and living history demonstrations on weekends and holidays.

Fort Caroline National Memorial Jacksonville, (904) 641-7155.

Site of French colony established in 1564. Captured by Spanish in 1565, attacked and burned by French in 1568. Reconstructed fort, visitor center with exhibits and interpretive trail.

Fort Jefferson National Monument (Dry Tortugas National Park) Florida Keys, (305) 242-7700.

Constructed between 1846-1876, but was never completed. Largest masonry fort in the Western Hemisphere. Visitor center with exhibits, brief audiovisual presentation, serf-guided tours. Only accessible by boat.

Fort Matanzas National Monument St. Augustine, (904) 471-0116.

Well-preserved masonry watchtower fort built by Spanish in 1740-42. Small visitor center with exhibits on fort's history and 8-minute video. Fort accessible by passenger ferry. Guided boat tours available.

Dada Battlefield State Historic Site Bushnell, (352) 793-4781.

Site of December 1835 battle marking the beginning of the Second Seminole War. Includes reproductions of log breastworks used in battle, monuments, visitor center with exhibits and artifacts, and interpretive trail marking the military road and battlefield.

Fort Clinch State Park Fernandina Beach, (904) 277-7274.

Brick and masonry fort was begun in 1847 but never completed. Preserved fort, visitor center, tours, monthly living history demonstrations.

Fort...

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