Battery Bigelow

 (1904-1920) - Battery Bigelow was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort De Soto, Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903, after 1st Lt. Aaron Bigelow of the 21st U.S. Infantry, who was killed 25 Jul 1814 at the battle of Lundy's Lane, Ontario, Canada, during the War of 1812. Battery construction was completed in 1902 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 28 Jun 1904 at a cost of $ 13,980.18. Deactivated in 1920.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898M1 15 pounder rapid fire guns mounted on M1898 masking parapet mounts. The guns were mounted in 1903 and test fired 19-20 Nov 1903. The battery was finally accepted on 28 Jun 1904.



World War I (1917-1918)
Battery Bigelow was not affected by the World War I redistribution but the 1920 disarmament push saw Battery Bigelow deactivate. Both gun tubes were transferred to Watervliet on 26 Aug 1920 and the carriages were scrapped 20 May 1920. The abandoned Battery Bigelow collapsed in October 1932 and began to break up on the beach where it remains today.

Current Status
The battery is broken up on the beach. No period guns or mounts in place.

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