Gulf Islands National Seashore:

Naval Live Oaks Preserve

 thumbnail Gulf Islands National Seashore: Naval Live Oaks Preserve

The Naval Live Oaks Reserve, now part of Gulf Islands National Seashore, was America's first government tree farm. Purchased in 1828 under an authorization from President John Quincy Adams, the Naval Live Oaks Reserve began operation on January 1, 1829. The purpose was to maintain a constant source of live oak timber for use in the construction of ships for the U.S. Navy. An important Navy Yard was located in nearby Pensacola and wooden ships were built and repaired there from the 1820s through the time of the Civil War. The widespread use of iron ships by the Civil War navies marked the beginning of the end of wooden ships and the need for a Federal live oak reserve ended as well. The site is now a nature preserve maintained by Gulf Islands National Seashore. [To learn more about the preserve, click here.](http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/navalliveoaks.html)