This concrete column provided a stable platform for observation instruments. It was enclosed by a wooden observation tower. The column is located on Mullet Key, south of Battery Laidley.
There are also two 6-inch Armstrong guns located at Fort De Soto. These were removed from Battery Burchsted at Fort Dade before that battery was destroyed by tidal action.Fort De Soto is an excellent site to visit if you are in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg area. The overall preservation and presentation of the site is excellent, and it is particularly interesting to view a battery with weapons in place, since this is very uncommon. There is also a trail leading through the old post area, where the outlines of building foundations can be seen. Fort De Soto is a Pinellas County Park, and the Fort Historian is Alicia Addeo.
Fort Dade on Egmont Key has several other emplacements which are still intact. However, advance planning is required to visit this site, as there is no road, and no passenger boat service to this site, which is state owned (Obviously I didn't plan ahead, since I don't have a Fort Dade page!).
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