Fort Clinch Trip Report: First of all let me say I was absolutely pleased with my trip to Fort Clinch State Park. The park officially does not open until 9 AM but a pleasant ranger allowed me to drive in at 8:50 and I think I could have arrived earlier as the park was already abuzz with people. Since I was driving solo my cost to enter the park was $4 but vehicles with 2 or more occupants will pay $6. Retain your receipt as it will allow you to leave and enter the park as many times as you wish on that date.
I found the park setting to be pristine and quite beautiful as I drove to the fort along 3 miles of a paved, oak canopy covered road that I shared with courteous joggers, hikers and bicyclists.
At the fort there is a large parking lot and it was never completely filled. One enters the fort grounds through the visitor’s center that, after buying a $2 ticket per person you are allowed to enter the fort grounds and the nearby museum.
Possession of your ticket allows you to leave and return to the museum and fort all day long.
Before I continue – there are only two restroom sites, one at the visitor’s center and the other at the campground that is even further from the entrance and a long way from the fort. That’s an important piece of knowledge even if you forget everything else!
Today (4/1/17) was Federal Garrison day and the staff was dressed appropriately for the period.
Did you count the stars?
I was sitting outside the jail taking a break when this lady asked if she could join me. After a pleasant chat I asked if I could take her picture. She agreed but asked that I wait until she quit smiling – apparently smiling in photographs was not permitted in those days.
Corporal – Don't call him Sir. Yes he has hands – mostly hidden in his sleeves.
I think this is Radar O'Reilly's Grandfather! Wanting to stay in period I asked him if he minded if I pointed this queer looking box with the glass window at him. He replied, "You just have to keep the flash pan away from the powder magazine!"
**INTERESTING FACT - if you look closely at his cup you'll see condensation on it. I asked him what he was drinking and he said, "Iced tea." Still in the moment I said "But you don't have any ice" to which he replied "Oh yes, we have plenty of ice, ships bring ice down from new England and we store it in the powder magazines - it's like a walk in freezer."
The Blacksmith:
An Officer’s desk:
The Fort: Quite frankly the mid-morning sun was harsh and contrast was high with a lot of blinkies and blowouts. A lens hood is a must to prevent flares. Since the Fort is only open from 9 – 5, outdoor shots may be better with a slight overcast. Anyway here are a few good ones.
In closing: Nice clean park and fort. I met a lot of friendly people, both visitors and staff. No pushy people clamoring to be first – as a matter of fact at noon on a Saturday the fort was not crowded at all.
There is a cannon firing “Whenever we get enough people here!” However they will only fire the small cannon pictured above. The large, permanently mounted cannon use 25 pounds of powder per shot.
From the brochure:
“Fort Clinch was built for war, not for safety.” - “Use established stair and walkways. Fort steps are steep and narrow and railings are absent. Walkways are uneven with many trip hazards.” In the above photo you can see the only ramp on the fort wall. I suspect it was used by soldiers to haul powder and ball to the cannons and was not designed for wheel chair access.
The adjacent park with its many hiking and biking trails is also worth exploring if you have time.
WARNING: Don’t blink or you will miss it! After driving north on A1A all the way through Fernandina Beach you will make a left onto Atlantic Ave. The park entrance sign is set back from the street and easily missed (I did!).
Drive 1/10th of a mile and turn right into the park.
For a list of all upcoming events – including candle-light tours
See https://www.floridastateparks.org/park-events/Fort-Clinch
Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach is 10 minutes away, turn right after leaving the fort and follow the signs.
Enjoy Mike Rexroad
Correction – the Park opens 8 to sundown – the Fort is open 9 – 5 mr
Thanks, Mike !! Great information .