Fort Barrancas Tour: Stop 2

Fort Barrancas Drawbridge to Main Entrance

Quick Facts

Location:

Pensacola, Florida

Significance:

Civil War, Black History, Confederates, Network to Freedom

Amenities

1 listed

Trailhead

Drawbridge

Enslaved carpenters built a drawbridge for Fort Barrancas in 1843. The drawbridge was operated by a counterweight and winch system.

Soldiers would use the drawbridge to cross over the dry ditch from the counterscarp and enter the fort. The drawbridge would be lowered during peacetime and raised to secure the fort before a battle. The mechanism for raising and lowering the drawbridge can still be seen inside the fort today.