Fort Zachary Taylor: Civil War Ghosts and the Haunting Legacy of Key West’s Coastal Fortress
Haunted Key West: Where Civil War Ghost Stories Linger
Perched on the scenic shoreline of Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor is now a beautiful state park, but its foundations are soaked in a dark and complex history. Built between 1845 and 1866, this massive coastal fortress was a strategic Union stronghold during the Civil War. However, the fort’s construction—which relied heavily on the brutal labor of enslaved people—and its use as a prison have left a powerful, chilling legacy, making it a hotspot for Civil War Ghost Stories and Paranormal Activity Florida.
The Tragic History of the Noon Executions
Though Fort Zachary Taylor never saw a major battle, it was far from peaceful. The brutal heat, Yellow Fever outbreaks, and harsh conditions took a heavy toll on soldiers and prisoners alike. Most chillingly, the fort was the site of executions for deserters and captured enemies, with noon being the designated hour for the gallows.
Today, visitors near the old execution site report a profound sense of dread, sudden cold spots, and, on rare occasions, the faint, sickening sound of a creaking rope or distant screams. This residual energy is a grim reminder of the lives that ended abruptly within the fort’s walls.
The Lieutenant McClure Ghost and the Soldier Apparitions
The most interactive haunting involves the spirit of Lieutenant McClure Ghost, a soldier imprisoned for treason. One chilling account describes a woman who heard a desperate voice say, “Give me some water.” She found a sunburned soldier behind cell bars, but when she turned back, he was gone. The spirit, identified as McClure, had once vowed, “I will avenge my imprisonment.”
Other Fort Zach Ghosts include silent Union Soldier Apparitions seen drilling on the parade grounds in full uniform. These shadowy figures appear to be stuck in a loop of their military duties, only to vanish when approached. The fort’s history as a Civil War Prison Haunting has created a powerful, multi-layered haunting that spans the entire property.
Fort Zachary Taylor is a unique Key West Haunted Location where military history and the echoes of human suffering collide.
To hear a deep dive into the strategic importance of Fort Zachary Taylor, the tragic history of the Yellow Fever Outbreak, and the full story of the Lieutenant McClure Ghost, be sure to listen to the dedicated episode on the You Two Scare Me Podcast.
