Gulf of Mexico Historical Sites

Gulf of Mexico Historical Sites

FLORIDA

History of the Everglades
11,000 years ago Two groups settled in south Florida: the Tequestas and the Calusas. These native peoples became known as the people of the Everglades. They established permanent villages at the mouths of rivers, on offshore islands and on hammocks (elevated areas of tropical forests).
The Everglades began to be known after the US and Seminole Wars of 1835-42.
The Everglades used to cover over four million acres of South Florida. This area has been reduced by more than 50 percent. The Florida Everglades is the largest remaining sub-tropical wilderness in the continental United States. The abundant wildlife includes rare and colorful birds, and is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side.

CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS NATIONAL MONUMENT (Saint Augustine)

The centerpiece of Spanish colonialism in the oldest city in the United States, the massive fort built of coquina and stone is a wonderful place to explore. The fort served as a prison to American Revolutionary supporters and Seminole Indians. The exhibits are well designed.

Located at the top of Amelia Island facing the coastal marsh of Georgia, Fort Clinch is a wonderfully preseved 1850's fort located on a great swimming beach. There is a museum and guides dressed as 1860's Union troops tour you around the buildings.

This huge fort was built to protect Pensacola Bay and the Naval Yard, but remained in Union hands in the Civil War after the second combat engagement of the War. Geronimo was a prisoner here in 1887. There is a museum, fishing facilities, and a good beach.

This low lying fort was started in 1845 to protect the island port and is being renovated to its original neat brickwork and fortificatioons after years of neglect. The little beach by the fort is one of the few decent strips of island sand, although there are rough currents.

12713 Fort Caroline Road on the St. Johns River, Jacksonville 32225; 904-641-7155

ALthough this is a replica of a French colony set up in 1564 by Jean Ribault, it is a wonderful site to understand the origin of Florida's first settlement, which was French and Protestant, not Spanish and Catholic. A museum hugs a bluff above the fort to preserve the atmosphere. Unfortunately, in summer the flying bugs are often terrible.

MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST

Beauvoir, The Jefferson Davis Home & Presidential Library
2244 Beach Blvd; Biloxi, MS 39531
(800) 570-3818 | (228) 388-9074 | Fax (228) 388-7084
Beauvoir is the stunning home of the only President of the Confederate States of America and the place where he penned his memoirs. The 51 acre estate, fronting the Gulf of Mexico.

Biloxi Historical Walking Tour
710 Beach Blvd; Biloxi, 39530
(228) 374-3105 | Fax (228) 435-6248 Self-guided walking tour begins at the Visitors Center and takes you strolling through historic Biloxi where you will see sites that date as far back as 1830.

Biloxi Lighthouse
P O Box 508, Highay 90 & Porter Ave; Biloxi, 39533
(228) 435-6308 | Fax (228) 435-6211
The Biloxi Lighthouse was erected in 1848.

Biloxi Visitors Center
710 Beach Blvd; Biloxi, 39530
(228) 374-3105 | Fax (228) 435-6248
Located in the historic Breilmaier house circa 1895. Hostesses can provide information, brochures and discounts on area attractions. Open Mon-Fri 8:00am to 4:30pm, Sat 9:00am to 4:30pm

Fort Massachusetts/Gulf Islands National Seashore
3500 Park Rd; Ocean Springs, 39564
(228) 875-9057 | Fax (228) 872-2954
Ship Island, one of the most popular island destinations for visitors, is approximately 12 miles offshore. It is host to Fort Massachusetts. Confederate soldiers occupied Fort Massachusetts

Gulfport Centennial Museum
1419 27th Ave, Train Station; Gulfport, MS 39502
(228) 868-5849 | Fax (228) 868-5800
Contains hundreds of photographs and artifacts detailing Gulfport's growth over the past 100 years.

WWII/USS Tullibee Memorial
370 Bienville Blvd; Ocean Springs, 39564
(228) 497-6559
Honoring 79 sumariners from the USS Tullibee who perished on March 26, 1944 with one lone survivor. One side of this Memorial lists the names of all who perished.

TEXAS GULF COAST

Houston Gulf Coast Railroad Museum
7390 Mesa Rd
Houston TX 77028-3520
Mission Statement:
To preserve, enjoy and share with the public the memory, history and experience of railroading, particularly Texas railroading, as it has been and as it is now.

Museum of the Gulf Coast
701 Fourth Street in Port Arthur, Texas
The Museum of the Gulf Coast combines conventional and an unconventional approach to tell the exciting story of the Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast region. Traditional themes are utilized in interpreting the focus of Gulf Coast life before the arrival of man, the role of Native Americans, European contact, Hispanic legacy, the trauma of Civil War, economic and cultural growth, and the integration of the Gulf Coast region into the larger national and international community.

ALABAMA GULF COAST

Fort Morgan
22 miles west of Gulf Shores on State Highway 180 West
Grounds and fort open 8-7 June through September; 8-5 October through February and 8-6 March through May. The museum is open weekdays 8-5, and Saturday and Sunday 9-5. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Cost: $5 adults, $3 children 6-12, free to younger children
Facilities: Picnic tables, seasonal concession stand, restrooms,
More: Living history program is conducted daily during the summer. Candlelight fort tours are Tuesday evenings in the summer. Civil War reenactments are staged every five years during the first weekend in August.
Information: 251-540-7125

Fort Gaines
Open 9-5 (9-6 during Daylight Savings Time). Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Cost: $3 adults, $1 children 5-12, free to younger children
Facilities: Picnic tables, snack shop, restrooms.
More: Reenactments are staged on various days October- May.
Information: 251-861-6992

Mobile Bay Ferry
Ferry typically departs every 90 minutes, but schedules vary. It’s best to call first. Dauphin Island’s first run is at 8:00 a.m. and runs until 6:30 p.m.; The ferry from Ft. Morgan runs 8:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Cost: walk-on, one-way: $2 per person; walk-on round-trip: $3 per person; car, one-way: $15; car, round-trip: $23; motor home, one-way: $25
Information: 251-540-7787

Gulf Shores Museum
Open Tuesday - Friday 10-noon and 1-5:00 p.m. and 10-2 on Saturdays
Cost: Free
More: Explore the coastal past of fishing and hurricanes as you enjoy a diversity of other attention-grabbing exhibits. Make time to take a stroll in the outdoor garden and enjoy the resident birds and butterflies.
Information: 251-967-4733

Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum
Open Tuesday – Friday 9-11:30, 12-4 p.m. and Saturday 9-2 p.m.
Cost: Free
More: This former church and school is now the home for numerous historic seagoing and Indian artifacts. Take pleasure as you learn from the visual portrait it paints of our coastal heritage.
Information: 251-981-8545

Louisania Historical Sites

Acadian Village
The grounds of this Acadian Village feature eight authentic Acadian houses dating back to 1800, as well as a replica of a historic general store.
Address: 200 Greenleaf Drive Lafayette  LA  USA  70506

Crystal Rice Plantation
Founded in 1890, this family owned and operated plantation offers agricultural tours describing the seeding, harvesting and processing of rice and crawfish. A collection of 21 automobiles and a Piper Cub airplane are also on display.
Address: 6428 Airport Road Crowley  LA  USA  70526

Cypress Manor and Mardi Gras Collection Museum
The Mardi Gras Collection Museum is housed inside Cypress Manor, a historic home built in 1907. A variety of Mardi Gras costumes and memorabilia are on display. Children under five years of age are admitted free.
Address: 715 Second St. Morgan City  LA  USA  70380

E.D. White Plantation Home - Louisiana State Museum
Located on the banks of Bayou Lafourche near Thibodaux, this historic plantation home dates anywhere from the late 18th century to the 1830s. Due to contrasting architectural features it is difficult to determine the exact age of the home. The house provides an example of the raised cottage design popular in southern Louisiana prior to the Civil war.
Address: 2295 LA. Hwy 1 Thibodeaux  LA  USA  70301

Grevemberg House Museum
This historic home, built in 1851, passed through a number of families before it was sold to the City of Franklin in 1948. The home features a number of historic items, including Civil War artefacts.
Address: 407 Sterling Rd Franklin  LA  USA  70538

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Six separate sites which highlight different features of Louisiana culture and natural resources, such as the Battle of New Orleans site, and the nature and culture of the swamp region. There are visitor centers at each location, and no admission fees.
Address: 365 Canal Street, Suite 2400 New Orleans  LA  70130-1142