Howard England Day at Fort Zachary Taylor Saturday
The Friends of Fort Taylor are holding the Commemoration of the Centennial Birthday of one of Key West’s most notable citizens, Howard S. England (1914-1999), at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 16. Key West Mayor Craig Cates has proclaimed Aug. 16 as Howard England Day in honor of the man whose passion and skills led the effort that resulted in today’s State Park and National Historic Landmark. Admission is free from 8 – 11 a.m., courtesy of the Friends.
The Birthday Centennial Celebration of the “Father of Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park” will take place on the Fort’s parade ground where visitors will enjoy period music, drinks, exhibits, history tours and birthday cake. England’s journal of his excavation and research has just been published as “Digging Into History” and will be available. His first book, “Fort Zachary Taylor: A Sleeping Giant Awakens” is also available.
From 1968 to 1976, England worked many hours as a volunteer to uncover what is the greatest single inventory of Civil War coastal artillery in the country. He worked tirelessly with Ida W. Barron to achieve National Historic Site (1971) and National Historic Landmark (1973) status for Fort Taylor. In 1976, his work with Congressman Dante Fascell led to the transfer of the Fort and its surrounding property to the State of Florida. The State Park that opened in 1985 is now the most visited attraction in Key West with more than 400,000 visitors a year.
After retiring from his position with the Navy as a civilian architect, Howard served as a Florida Park Ranger until retiring in 1984 at the age of 70. The Florida Park Service awarded England with the first Distinguished Service Award and medal ever presented to a park ranger. In 2000, he was recognized as a Great Floridian by the League of Cities, quite an honor for this Key West native and fourth generation Conch.
For more information, contact Mark Moss, 305-747-0281 or [email protected].
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