Fort Jefferson: built by enslaved men, then a federal prison (Dry Tortugas, Florida, 1846–1870s)
Record: the document says itPattern: documents line upLens: our readingOpen: not yet proven
Year: 1846 · Places: Florida
SUMMARYFort Jefferson: built by enslaved men, then a federal prison (Dry Tortugas, Florida, 1846–1870s) [Connections: Masonic color line, asylums, castles, wight, Nov 5, 2026]
RECORDNPS: "The construction of the fort began in 1846." "The labor force during the early years was made up predominantly of slaves from Key West." "After the Civil War, the fort was used as a federal prison." "Among the prisoners kept there were several of the 'Lincoln Conspirators,'" including Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, who helped fight the 1867 yellow fever outbreak
PATTERNEnslaved labor built the fortress, and the state then used it as a prison
LENS (WW9)Their hands laid the brick of the cage
OPENNames of the enslaved builders, held in Army Corps of Engineers hire-payment records (paid to their enslavers). Also the reported escapes, which are not on this NPS page
SOURCENPS: Dry Tortugas Was a Part of American History.