CDSG REPRESENTATIVE SITE VISIT REPORT Fort De Soto
Fort Name: Fort De Soto / Tampa Bay
Date of Visit: 12-15-2002
Current Site Name: Fort De Soto Park
Site Use: County Park
Is the Site open to the Public?: Yes
Dates and Hours of Operation: Mon Sun , Dawn to Dusk
What type of programs are offered at the Site?:
Living History: periodic events from Civil War to WW2
Tours: Most Saturdays, 1st and 3rd Sunday (yours truly)
Museum Shop: Museum yes, shop no
Restoration Projects?:
Are there events that the Site would like to have advertised in the CDSG
Newsletter:?
Event: Coast Artillery Open House
Description: displays of early WW2 fire control gear, small arms, demonstrations and gun drills
Dates/Times: January 18, 2003 0800-1600
What is the overall condition of the Site?: Good
What is the condition of the Individual Elements?:
Batteries: 12″ Mortar battery in very good shape, 15lb AMTB battery collapsed in surf
Buildings: Reproduction of QM storehouse used as museum
Other Elements: concrete pillar for DPF tower, sewer system, fire hydrants
What is the protective status of the Site?:
National Park:?
National Register?: National Register since 1977
State or Local Historic Site?:
None?:
Current Site Owner(s): Pinellas County
Current Site Supervisor: Robert Browning, Park Supervisor
Mailing Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway, Tierra Verde, Fl 33715-2528
Phone: (727) 582-2267
Support Group: Friends of Fort De Soto
Contact: info@friendsofftdesoto.org
Is the Site or a responsible individual at the site a CDSG member?: No
What information can the CDSG provide to the management of the site?:
Are there any projects at the Site that would benefit from CDSG funding?: attempts being made to obtain funding to restore the water proofing on top of Battery Laidley
Is there anyone at the Site that would submit material for the CDSG Journal?: Yes
Any Special Situations at the Site: (Damage, Imminent Destruction, Etc.) Battery roof leaking/seeping , vegetation on top causing damage to concrete
If individual batteries, base-end stations, buildings, etc. are in some way significant, please indicate:
