Egmont Key, at the mouth of Tampa Bay, holds the roads, gun batteries, and foundations of Fort Dade, a Spanish-American War-era post abandoned in 1923, plus an 1858 lighthouse. The island is a state park and national wildlife refuge reached only by ferry or private boat, and erosion has already claimed roughly half its area — some batteries now sit in the surf. Visiting is legal; obey bird-nesting and tortoise closures and treat the partially submerged, rebar-studded batteries with respect.
Vestige documents abandoned & historic places for education and preservation. Always obtain permission before visiting and follow local law.