West Martello Tower, Military fortification in Key West, Florida
West Martello Tower is a military fortification with thick stone walls and a circular design positioned along Key West's Atlantic coast. The structure features the defensive architecture typical of 19th-century coastal defenses.
Construction of this fortification began in 1862 during the American Civil War, though it never saw combat. Later, in 1904, ammunition bunkers from Battery Inman were incorporated into the original structure.
The garden surrounding the tower is maintained by the Key West Garden Club and features plants native to the region. Visitors can observe how local species thrive within this historical space.
The tower is located on Atlantic Boulevard and welcomes visitors interested in learning about 19th-century military construction. The site is walkable and offers good views of the historical defense structure.
The tower was built during the Civil War but cannons were never fired from it, making it a fortification that never fulfilled its military purpose. This unexpected history shows how some defenses were built simply as a deterrent.
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