Apalachicola Arsenal

Apalachicola Arsenal (1832-1866) - A U.S. Army arsenal first established as Mount Vernon Arsenal in 1832 in Gadsden County, Florida. Renamed Chattahoochee Arsenal (1) in 1834 and later Apalachicola Arsenal. Abandoned in 1866.

Apalachicola Arsenal History

Authorized as a United States Arsenal in 1832 but was not in full operation until the spring of 1838 and not complete until 1839.

The arsenal complex consisted of a four acre square surrounded with buildings connected and enclosed by a 9' tall brick wall. Two external magazines stored the munitions. Post buildings included barracks, officers quarters and workshops.

U.S. Civil War (1861-1865)

The arsenal was surrendered by the Union garrison on 6 Jan 1861 to a secessionists militia force known as the Quincy Guard even before Florida had formally seceded from the Union. The secessionists captured one cannon, 5,122 pounds of powder, 57 flintlocks and about 173,000 cartridges. The grounds were then operated as a Confederate "Camp of Instruction" for new recruits.

After the end of the war the grounds were turned over to the Freedman's Bureau and later used as a prison. In 1870 the grounds were turned over to the state of Florida who established a state mental hospital on the grounds. The existing structures were repaired and modified for hospital use.

Current Status

The officer's quarters, guard house and one of the external magazines survive. A historical marker is located at U.S. 90 and Holly Drive. Part of Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee, Gadsden County, Florida.

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Location: Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee, Gadsden County, Florida.

Maps & Images

Lat: 30.7068026 Long: -84.8381746

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Sources:

Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 145-146

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