Egmont Key

At the mouth of Tampa Bay on Floridia's westcoast lies an unusual island.  First charted by Spanish exploriers in the early 1500's the footsteps of notable historical figures would mark the island's sands in the centuries to follow.

Th island was once home to Seminole Indians defeated in the war. Both Confederate and Union soldiers occupied the island in America's Civil War.  Fort Dade was constructed to defent Tampa Bay from invasions during the Spanish American War.

The island is both rich in history and currently home to endangered wildlife.  Accessible only by boat Egmont Key is a National Wildlife Refuge protecting populations of gopher tortoises, box turtles and several species of nexting birds such as Royal and Least terns, Brown pelicans, Ibis and Laughing gulls. Egmont also has a lighthouse that was completed in 1848 and helps to safely guide ships en route to Tampa.  Every fifteen seconds the lighthouse illuminates and island of historic significance.  Gopher tortoises watch quietly as you pass.  Seabirds cry from their nearby nesting areas. Walking these eerie byways , you wonder whose footsteps in history you are following.  Then you realize you are somwhere special somwhere worth saving.