The Florida in the Civil War Message Board

Apalachicola Arsenal

I spent some time last year exploring Civil War related sites along the Apalachicola River and will continue sharing some of my observations over the next few days.

The Apalachicola Arsenal is actually located in Chattahoochee. It draws its name from the river and not the city of Apalachicola. Now on the grounds of the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee, the arsenal was the site of the first military action in Florida. The Young Guards from Quincy seized the arsenal under orders from Governor Madison S. Perry on the morning of January 6, 1861. The facility was then garrisoned by only a sergeant and three men. The Confederates later used the arsenal as a camp of instruction.

Originally a complex of brick buildings surrounding a four-square acre parade ground and surrounded by a thick brick wall, much of the original arsenal has been destroyed. Several buildings, however, can still be seen, as can a few sections of the original wall. The Administration Building of the Florida State Hospital was the original officers' quarters of the arsenal. A section of original wall and two other surviving structures can be seen just to the north of the administration building. One of the extramural magazines also survives and has recently been restored.

The grounds of the state hospital are open to the public, but cameras are not allowed. There are no interpretive signs on the grounds, but a state marker can be seen nearby on U.S. Highway 90.

Dale

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