Fort De Soto Park

On April 25, 1898, the United States declared war on Spain, heralding the beginning of the Spanish—American War. Fort De Soto, on Mullet Key, was commissioned to help defend the sea approach to Tampa Bay, Florida. The fort’s main defensive feature was a grouping of eight 12—inch—bore mortars, each capable of dropping a half—ton projectile on enemy ships miles away; four of these historic mortars are still in place. In 1948, the fort’s 884 acres were sold to Pinellas County, which had long c...