Fort Clinch State Park, Civil War fortress in Nassau County, Florida
Fort Clinch State Park is a state park in Nassau County, Florida, covering about 1,400 acres with maritime forests, sandy beaches, and a 19th-century military fortress. The fort itself was built using local materials in National Park Service rustic style and serves as the centerpiece of the grounds.
The fort was built between 1847 and 1869 and served as a Union military post during the Civil War to monitor shipping along the Atlantic coast. This strategic location made it an important defensive point during the war years.
On the first weekend of each month, volunteers in period uniforms demonstrate what daily soldier life looked like during the 19th century. These reenactments show the routines and skills that soldiers practiced in the fortress back then.
The park opens daily at 8 AM and stays open until sunset, with the ranger station staffed from 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Wear sturdy shoes since trails cross uneven ground and sandy areas.
The park preserves a fully intact brick fortress from the mid-1800s that has been restored to its original condition. Visitors can explore the casemates and ammunition rooms to understand how soldiers defended the position back then.
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