Fort Pickens and Ivan...

[stevenpensacola]

As a youngster, I often went camping with my family at Fort Pickens. Now that I've grown and have a family of my own, I've been able to share my love of Fort Pickens with my kids. When asked if they want to go camping, they always want to go to Pickens first.

Take a look at what Ivan did to one of my favorite places in all of the world. When the page loads, scroll down to see the photos.

http://www.pensacolabeachliving.com/pages/3C6W2831.htm
http://www.pensacolabeachliving.com/pages/3C6W2832.htm
http://www.pensacolabeachliving.com/pages/3C6W2833.htm
http://www.pensacolabeachliving.com/pages/3C6W2834.htm
http://www.pensacolabeachliving.com/pages/3C6W2835.htm
http://www.pensacolabeachliving.com/pages/3C6W2836.htm

Here's what's left of the island heading to fort pickens:

http://www.pensacolabeachliving.com/pages/3C6W2806.htm

yes, this is where the road used to be!



Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

10-05-2004 12:43 PM

 

[Memph1s]

As a youngster living in Memphis when we came to Florida is was always to camp and fish at Fort Pickens. When we first started going to Fort Pickens in the 60's you were allowed to explore almost the entire fort on your own. We have several pictures of the family in the cell that once held Geronimo(sp). Fort Pickens was also one of my favorite places in the world. When I moved to the Tampa/Clearwater area I was so disappointed in the local beaches because I was comparing them to the blinding white sugar sand on Santa Rosa Island at Fort Pickens. I have not been back there in 10 years or so and now it looks like I may never get to go back. So sad. I was wondering how the park made out. Now I almost wish I did not know. Thanks for the pictures. I sure hope they plan to rehab at least part of the park.

 

[stevenpensacola]

My mom and dad have some old pictures they took at Fort Pickens in the early 60's. They used to let you park your car inside the fort.

I saw the Park director on TV state that plans are to rebuild the island just enough to allow the road to be rebuilt. They are not planning to do a beach renourishment project like Pensacola Beach completed last year, but will let nature take it's course in rebuilding the island. He predicted they would reopen in 6 months....I'm not sure that's possible....but it would be nice.

We've had beautiful beach weather the past couple of weeks....but you're not allowed back on any beaches yet.

 

[TomM]

Thank you for the pictures. I was stationed in the Coast Guard on Santa Rosa in 1970. Seeing it washed away does make me sad. It was such a beautiful island.

 

[stevenpensacola]

Not sure if you saw the picture, but the old Coast Guard Station survived! Prior to the storm, the building was used for campground registration.

Here's the link showing the old station:

http://www.pensacolabeachliving.com/pages/3C6W2815.htm

 

[TomM]

Thank you for the picture of the old Coast Guard Station. Ivan did a job on the island! Not much island left it looks like.