Fort De Soto
Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway South
Tiera Verde, Florida 33715
Pinellas County
(727) 866-2484
This site is located in the WestCentral region of the state.
DIRECTIONS
Exit I-275 south using Exit 4 to Pinellas Bayway (second red light). Turn left on Pinellas Bayway (SR-679) to Fort DeSoto Park entrance.
This site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Located on Mullet Key at the entrance to Tampa Bay, Fort DeSoto originated in 1898 as part of the military coast defense system developed during the Spanish-American War. The site of Battery Laidley and Battery Bigelow, this area became a bombing range for MacDill Army Air Base, Tampa, as well as other training sites during World War II. Military personnel stationed on the island operated the radio control tower and performed other range-related functions.
Repurchased by Pinellas County after VJ Day, Fort De Soto Park occupies this site. The Fort De Soto Quartermaster Store House Museum maintains several displays and a touch screen computer with information related to WWII in the Tampa Bay Area and the use of Mullet Key Bombing Range.
LINK:
Fort De Soto Park
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm
