Fort McRee

The fortress was built of brick between 1834 and 1839 and named after Colonel William McRee in April 1840. Originally designed as a three-story artillery fort with a detached water battery, it was intended to be armed with 122 cannons. The first military occupation took place in 1842. After the Mexican-American War, the fort lost its importance as troop accommodation and primarily served training purposes. During the Civil War, Fort McRee was occupied by Confederate troops in January 1861. In November of the same year, heavy fighting ensued with Union troops and warships, during which the fort was severely damaged and ultimately rendered inoperable. After the war, the complex fell into disrepair and was used as a quarry for other fortifications. At the end of the 19th century, battery positions for modern guns were again established, but these were destroyed by a hurricane in 1906 and later dismantled. A planned reactivation in World War II was not implemented, and military use ended in 1947. Since 1971, Fort McRee has been part of the Gulf Island National Seashore.

Fort McRee is located in Warrington, Escambia County, Florida, USA. It stands at an elevation of approximately 11 meters above sea level.

Today, only the remnants of Fort McRee's foundation are visible, as the complex has been exposed to storms and erosion for decades. The site is accessible to visitors and can be reached on foot or by boat.

• Fort Pickens (fortress), approx. 2.5 km away
• Fort Barrancas (fortress), approx. 3.1 km away
• Fort Caroline (fortress), approx. 559.1 km away
• Fort Frederica (fortress), approx. 575.7 km away