Gulf Islands National Seashore: Perdido Key: Johnson Beach Road Turn Around

Johnson Beach Road bisects the Gulf Island National Seashore Perdido Area. The turn-around ends in the middle of the park. Visitors must hike to se the ruins of Fort McRee. What remained of Foster's bank, now known as Perdido Key, continued to be utilized in the defense of Pensacola Bay. The Endicott System of gun emplacements that were built there beginning in 1890's can be seen. The ruins of Batteries 233, Siemmer and Center can be reached on foot. The original structure was known as Fort McRee was built in 1837 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Foster's Bank. The fort was so badly damaged in the Civil War that it was not reparied. The crumbling walls stood until the hurricane of 1906. The tide rose twelve feet above normal and gusts up to one hundred miles per hour beat against the walls. When the water subsided all but a part of one wall was down. (Source: Guardians on the Gulf-Pensacola Fortifications, 1698-1980. Coleman, James C. and Irene. Pensacola Historical Society. 1982. ISBN 0-939566-02-8)