Battery Cullum

 (1898-1933) - Battery Cullum was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10‑inch coastal gun battery on Fort Pickens, Escambia County, Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900, after Brigadier General George W. Cullum, U.S. Volunteers, a distinguished officer of the U.S. Civil War, who, by his munificence toward the United States Military Academy, endeared himself to all its graduates. Battery construction started in 1895, was completed in 1898 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use in March and June 1898 at a cost of $ 188,920.24. Deactivated in 1933.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 10" M1888MII guns mounted on three M1894 Disappearing carriages and one M1896 Disappearing carriage. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by Taylor-Raymond back delivery shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by an emplacement power plant and commercial power.

The sand slopes of Battery Cullum were damaged in the hurricane of September 26-27, 1906. The slopes were restored and bermuda grass was planted to stabilize the sand.

A BC Station and plotting room was constructed in 1915 in back of and between gun emplacements 3 and 4. The BC Station and plotting room was accepted for service 20 Aug 1915 at a cost of $2,310.84.

The four emplacements of Battery Cullum remained a single battery until 1916 when it was administratively divided into two batteries. Emplacements 1 and 2 became Battery Sevier and emplacements 3 and 4 became emplacements 1 and 2 of Battery Cullum.



World War I (1917-1918)
The guns of were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program but the battery was declared obsolete and deactivated in 1933.

World War II (1941-1945)
In 1942 the Battery Trueman was relocated from its original location into old Battery Cullum. The guns and carriages were moved into two new emplacements built between the old emplacements of Battery Cullum. The magazines were rehabilitated. This construction began in March 1942, was completed in December 1942 and transferred for service in May 1944 at a cost of $ 20,330.00. Included in the rehabilitation was a new stair system and an ammunition hoist.

Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place. This battery was fenced off and no access to the battery structure was available.

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