Fort Taylor was transferred to the Navy in 1947 following the abolishment of the Coastal Artillery Corps. While under Navy control, the property was utilized as a scrap metal yard. The Navy transferred the property to the Department of the Interior in 1970. Fort Taylor was nominated to the Federal National Historic Places Registry in 1971 and in 1973 was declared to be a National Historic Landmark. The Florida Park Service acquired Fort Taylor from the Department of the Interior in 1976. The fort opened as a Florida State Park in 1985 and is still managed by the Florida Park Service.

Excavations for Civil War artifacts began in 1968 largely through the efforts of Mr. Howard England of Key West. A letter writer to the Miami Herald newspaper wondered why Fort Jefferson had been awarded National Landmark status when Fort Taylor had played just as significant a role in the Civil War. The local naval brass did not have an answer. England, who was working for the Navy in the Public Works Department suggested excavations begin to see what artifacts the fort might hold that could move the fort toward National Landmark status. The Navy said it didn't have the manpower nor the budget for such an undertaking. But the brass told England he could volunteer his time, if he wished, and examine the fort. England gathered a group of volunteers and they went to work. During a ten year period, England and his "sandhogs" uncovered hundreds of cannon ball of varied sizes, rifled shells, gun carriages and cannon. These artifacts were found in casemates that had been filled when Batteries Adair and Osceola were constructed during the Endicott Period. Many of the cannon and rounds are on display now at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Here is information on the cannon that have been excavated thus far at Fort Taylor. There are still numerous cannon and rounds buried in the casemates on the south and west facings. Plans for further excavations are on hold at this time. Once artifacts are uncovered, they must be placed in containers to undergo electrolysis to remove impurities. Because of a lack of budget and manpower for such an undertaking, it's been determined to leave the artifacts buried.

The main issue concerning the fort now is its condition. Concrete added to the barracks building in 1898 when the top two floors were removed are causing cracks in the remaining masonry. Without intervention, the structure will eventually collapse. Grant monies are being sought to stabilize the walls, remove the old roof and replace it with a new roof. A rehabilitation project is slated to begin in Summer 2007 to stabilize the barracks building.

In the meantime, park rangers offer daily guided tours of areas of the fort that remain open to the public. And, Civil War reenactments are held at the fort. The fort is also the site of weekend encampments for Spanish-American War reenactors. Plans are also in the works to hold weekend encampments for World War I and World War II reenactors. Email us if your group is interested in participating.