Fort De Soto Park
South-southwest of St. Petersburg, Florida, Fort De Soto Park is a park operated by Pinellas County on five offshore keys, or islands: Madelaine Key, St. Jean Key, St. Christopher Key, Bonne Fortune Key and the main island, Mullet Key. The keys are connected by either bridge or causeway. The island group is accessible by toll road from the mainland. Historically, the islands were used for military fortifications; remnants and a museum exhibit this history. Two piers, beaches, picnic area, hiking trails, bicycling trails, kayak trail, and a ferry to Egmont Key State Park are available.
| Fort De Soto | |
|---|---|
| Part of Endicott Period Coastal Defense | |
| Mullet Key, Pinellas County, Florida | |
One of the beaches of Fort De Soto Park (2012) | |
| Coordinates | 27.615499°N 82.735902°W |
| Type | Seacoast defense |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Pinellas County |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1898–1906 |
| Built by | United States Army Corps of Engineers |
| In use | 1898–1910 |
| Materials | Reinforced concrete |
| Events | Spanish–American War |
Fort De Soto Batteries | |
U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
Battery Laidley & Battery Bigelow
| |
| Location | 8 miles (13 km) South of St. Petersburg, Mullet Key, Pinellas County, Florida |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000407 |
| Added to NRHP | December 2, 1977 |
The park is a gateway site for the Great Florida Birding Trail.
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