Central Florida

Last Update: 06/JANUARY/2007

Compiled by Pete Payette - Š2007 American Forts Network

Addison Blockhouse (Historic State Park)
(1836), near National Gardens
A coquina structure originally built as a plantation kitchen in 1807. Converted to a settlers' blockhouse in 1835, it was burned by Seminole Indians in 1836. One month later military troops arrived and built a moated and palisaded eight-point star-shaped earthwork around the ruins, renamed Fort Duncan McRae, after the owner. Used for about one month, during which it was attacked again. Located about two miles southwest (by road) from Tomoka State Park.

Mosquito Inlet Fort
(1862), Daytona Beach
A Confederate earthwork.

Fort Williams or
(1860's), Port Orange
A Civil War post.

Old Fort Smyrna (1)
(1768 - 1777), New Smyrna Beach *PHOTO*
The British settlers were driven out by the Spanish during the American Revolution.

Cape Canaveral Fort
(1565), Cape Canaveral
A crude French sand and log fort built by the 70-80 survivors of Jean Ribault's flagship Trinité, made from the timbers of their ship (with six salvaged guns) after they were blown ashore during an attack on St. Augustine. Ribault and others had already headed north when they were intercepted at Matanzas Inlet and massacred by the Spanish. Spanish troops caught up with the others one month later and transported them to Cuba. The fort was then destroyed. Exact location unknown.

Fort Butler
(1838 - 1839, 1861 - 1864), Astor
A Federal log stockade with barracks, located on the St. Johns River. Used again by the Union as a campsite during the Civil War. Captured by the Confederates in 1864.

Mission de San Salvador de Mayaca
(1590's), undetermined location
A Spanish Franciscan mission located somewhere south of Lake George in either Volusia or Lake Counties, at a Mayaca Indian town. It was not known to be fortified. It was only in operation intermittently as it was deemed too far from St. Augustine at the time. Listed here for historical interest only.

Fort Cooper (1) (State Park)
(1836, 1861 - 1864), near Inverness *PHOTOS*
A temporary Federal fort to defend a camp for the sick and destitute during General Winfield Scott's campaign. It was a square stockade with a two-story blockhouse. Used by the Confederates in the Civil War. Captured by the Union in 1864. Located on Fort Cooper Lake.

Bayport Battery
(1861 - 1865), Bayport
A Confederate battery protected this port used for blockade-running. It withstood an attack in 1863.

Fort Armstrong
(Dade's Battlefield Historic State Park)
(1836 - 1837), near Bushnell *PHOTOS*
Built on the site of "Dade's Battleground" south of town . Federal troops were ambushed here in 1835, starting the Second Seminole War. In the supplies of the fallen troops were Cuban oranges. The seeds took root and thus started Florida's orange crop industry in 1846.

Jororo Missions
(1690's), Osceola County (?)
Spanish Franciscan missions were established in three Jororo Indian towns, but they did not last very long. Mission de San José de Jororo (1) was probably at the main town. It was relocated to St. Augustine in 1717. Another was at Atissimi, which was attacked by the local Indians in 1696. The missions were not known to be fortified. Listed here for historical interest only.

Fort Gardiner
(Lake Kissimmee State Park)
(1837 - 1840's), near Tiote
A Federal fort. Still in use in 1842.

Fort Meade
(1849 - 1850, 1850 - 1854, 1857, 1861 - 1864), Fort Meade
A Federal fort that was rebuilt one mile away from the original site in 1850. It provided protection for settlers during the Third Seminole War. The Confederates occupied the fort in 1861 - 1864, but it was burned down by Union troops.
(info by David Paterno)

Fort Lonesome
(1920's), Fort Lonesome
Not a fort. A one-time state agricultural research station in a lonely part of the countryside once known as Boogerman's Corner, at the junction of FL 39 and FL 674.
(info by David Paterno)

Camp at Lakeland
(1898), Lakeland
A Spanish-American War assembly camp.

Fort Foster (1)
(Hillsborough River State Park)
(1836, 1837 - 1838, 1849), near Glennell
Originally known as Fort Alabama. It was a stockade on the river crossing to Fort King. It was attacked by 300 Seminoles but they were repulsed. The fort was then stripped and abandoned by the troops. A booby-trapped powder keg was heard to explode after the troops had left. It was rebuilt seven months later in 1837 and renamed. A replica of the second fort has been built here in the park.

Fort Tocobaga
(1567), near Safety Harbor
A Spanish 30-man blockhouse located at the Tocobaga Indian village along the north shore of Old Tampa Bay. The Indians killed the garrison and burned the fort.

Fort Brooke
(1824 - 1882, 1898), Tampa
A log stockade around a settlers' house, originally known as Camp Hillsborough, or Camp on Hillsborough Bay. It was renamed Cantonment Brooke in 1824. Renamed again in 1835. A battle occurred near here in 1841. The Confederates occupied the fort 1863 - 1864 until the Union recaptured it. American troops encamped here in 1898 as part of Camp Tampa (see below). Site located at Platt and Franklin Streets. No remains.

Camp Tampa
(1898), Tampa
The primary American assembly and staging area for the Spanish-American War (Cuban Theater). The main encampment was on Tampa Heights. A satellite camp was located at DeSoto Park. The Port of Embarkation camp was located at Port Tampa City (a separate city until 1961).

Camp Rogers (2)
(1898), Ybor City
A Spanish-American War assembly camp. Also spelled Rodgers in some sources.

¤ COAST DEFENSES of TAMPA BAY
The Coastal Defenses of Tampa Bay by Kevin Mello

¤ Fort De Soto (2) (Park)
(1898 - 1928), Mullet Key
A subpost of Fort Dade. Named in 1900. Batteries include Battery Laidley (1902 - 1921), and Battery Bigelow (1904 - 1920), which is broken up in the surf. Battery Laidley still has four 12-inch mortars remaining, which are the only ones left in the US. Used as an Army Air Force Gunnery Range from 1941 - 1948, as a subpost of MacDill Field in Tampa. Sold in 1948, became a county park in 1963. The road to the island was built in 1962. All other military structures have been removed or destroyed.
See the Coastal Fortifications on the Gulf of Mexico (website courtesy of Andy Bennett). Another website at Geocities.

¤ Fort Dade (3)
(Egmont Key State Park)
(1898 - 1928), Egmont Key
The Union fleet used the island during the Civil War, and Confederate prisoners were kept there. Originally named Egmont Key Post. Renamed in 1900. Seacoast batteries include Battery Burchsted (1899 - 1920) broken up in the surf, two of the guns moved to Fort De Soto in 1980 for display (one of the 6-inch Armstrong guns is now at the University of Tampa campus as a memorial to the Spanish-American War), Battery McIntosh (1900 - 1923) breaking up in the surf, Battery Howard (1920 - 1926) breaking up in the surf, Battery Mellon (1904 - 1920), Battery Page (1910 - 1919) broken up in the surf, and an unnamed battery of two M1888 8-inch BL guns (1899 - 1900) which had been built over by Battery Mellon. Became a state park in 1989. Public access is by private boat only. See also the Fort De Soto link. 1909 PHOTO 1 || 1909 PHOTO 2

¤¤ TEMPORARY HARBOR DEFENSES of TAMPA BAY

¤¤ Long Key Military Reservation
(1942 - 1944), Pass-a-Grille Beach
A four-gun 155mm battery on Panama mounts was located here, later replaced by 90mm guns in 1944 before being abandoned.

Seminole Wars Forts
(includes those forts and posts not already listed above)

Pinellas County:
Fort William Henry Harrison (1841), Clearwater. Used as relief center for Federal troops. Site now on Harbor Oaks at Druid Road and Orange Place. The city later grew out of the settlement.

Hillsborough County:
Fort Bienvenue (1850), near Keysville, four miles west of the Polk County line. Also known as Southern Fort Alafia. Located one mile from Fort Alafia.
Fort Alafia (1849 - 1850), near Keysville, four miles west of the Polk County line. Moved one mile west in 1849, closer to the Alafia River, before it was abandoned.
Camp Galt (1857), near Bloomingdale at the Alafia River crossing ("Alafia Bridge") at FL 640. Also known as Fort Galt.
Camp Hitchapuckanssa (1839), four miles west of Socrum. Renamed Fort Sullivan before it was abandoned. Also spelled Hitchepuckasassa.
Camp Georgia (1836), near Fort Brooke in Tampa.
Camp McCall (1842), near Tampa (undetermined location). Located "one day's march" from Fort Brooke.
Camp Clinch (2) (1850), one mile east of Tampa (near Ybor City ?).
Fort Fraser (1) (1837 - 1838), on Old Fort King Road north of Tampa. Exact location uncertain. Also spelled Frazer.

Pasco County:
Fort Chisholm (1836), three miles east of the Old Fort King Road crossing of the Tatsala (Withlacoochee ?) River.
Fort Broome (1856), Tuckertown, two miles southeast of Dade City.
Fort Dade (2) (1837 - 1849, intermittent after 1838), near Lacoochee on the south (west) bank of the Withlacoochee River. Also known as Camp Dade. Burned by Seminoles in 1838.

Polk County:
Fort Socrum (1856), Socrum. A settlers' fort.
Fort Gibson (1850), near Lake Gibson (Gibsonia ?). A settlers' fort.
Fort Cummings (1839 - 1841), on Lake Alfred one and one-half miles outside of Lake Alfred.
Fort Nichols (2) (1850), two miles south of Nichols.
Fort Fraser (2) (1837 - 1838), near Bartow, on the west-side of the Peace River near Lake Hancock.
Fort Carroll (1841), south shore of Lake Hancock, three miles north of Bartow. Abandoned due to poor health conditions.
Fort Blount (2) (1856), Bartow. A settlers' blockhouse, also known as Riley Blount's Fort. Site located at Church Street and Floral Ave. The town's name was originally Pease Creek until 1867.
Fort Hooker (1850 - 1856), on the Peace River 16 miles north of Fort Meade.
Fort Clinch (3) (1850), Frostproof. Located at Keen's Cove on Lake Clinch. A stockade with six or seven buildings.
Fort Arbuckle (1850), northeast shore of Lake Arbuckle, 12 miles east of Fort Clinch (3). A Federal fort.
Fort McClintock (1830's), Lake McClintock, six miles southwest of Lake Tohopekaliga, on the road from Fort Maitland to Fort Brooke.
Fort Dozier (1856), unknown location. A settlers' fort.

Osceola County:
Fort Davenport (1839), west of Intercession City on Reedy Creek, two miles northeast of Loughman, opposite the mouth of Davenport Creek.
Camp Morris (1849), north shore of Lake Tohopekaliga.
Fort Taylor (1) (1837), on the north-side of Wolf Creek, one mile west of Lake Winder.

Brevard County:
Camp Hernandez (1836), Mims.
Fort Ann (1837 - 1838), Merritt Island. A temporary garrison and supply depot, with two bastions at opposite corners. It protected the portage between the Indian River and the Mosquito Lagoon. It was abandoned. The site was used as a Union campsite during the Civil War. Located on the north side of the island opposite Mims, on NASA property. (additional info by David Paterno)
Fort Taylor (2) (unknown dates), Merritt Island, located south of Fort Ann, east of Titusville, on NASA property.
Fort Harney (1) (1837), near Heath on Merritt Island, near the NASA Landing Field.

Volusia County:
Fort Kingsbury (1830's), near Enterprise, on the northeast shore of Lake Monroe.
Camp Enterprise (1857), possibly located at Enterprise.
Fort Florida (1836), Fort Florida, on the St. Johns River, two miles southwest of DeBary on Fort Florida Road.
Fort Birch (1839), near Alamana on Lake Ashby.
Fort New Smyrna (1835, 1838, 1852 - 1853), New Smyrna Beach. Also known as Fort Smyrna (2) and Camp near New Smyrna.
Camp Sheldon (1852), located about ten miles from (New ?) Smyrna.
Camp Dunlawton (1836), Port Orange. Temporary camp at the Dunlawton Sugar Plantation, burned by the Seminole Indians.
Camp Darley (1836), at Darley's Plantation, near Ormond. Destroyed by Seminole Indians, the troops transferred after only a few days to Fort Bulow.
Fort Barnwell (1836), Volusia. Also known as Fort Columbia.
Fort Call (1) (1836 - 1838), Volusia.
Fort Volusia (1836 - 1857), Volusia. Built on a large shell mound, the fort was abandoned and reoccupied several times.
Fort Preston (1) (unknown dates), Spring Garden (location ?). A settlers' blockhouse.

Orange County:
Fort McNeil (1837), near Lake Poinsett on the Chickasawhatchie River, four miles from its mouth on the St. John's River. On FL 532 north of the Taylor Creek Bridge. A stockade with two blockhouses in opposite corners.
Fort Christmas (1837 - 1838), two and one-half miles north of Christmas, at Powell's Town. An 80 square-foot stockade with two 20 square-foot blockhouses in opposite corners. Abandoned and burned down after the war. Reconstructed in 1977 about one mile south from original site, with a museum and living history events.
Fort Maitland (1838 - 1842), Maitland. West shore of Lake Maitland.
Fort Gatlin (1837, 1838 - 1839, 1849), Orlando. A granite marker (1924) is located on Gatlin Ave. The city later grew from the original settlement.

Seminole County:
Fort Lane (1837 - 1838), two miles east of Geneva on Lake Harney. (website courtesy of Mal Martin, Geneva Historical Society)
Fort Dearborn (1837), on Lake Harney. Possibly an early name for Fort Lane.
Fort Mellon (1836 - 1842), Sanford. Previously named Camp Monroe. Renamed Fort Fanning (1). Attacked by Indians in 1837. Renamed, then abandoned and burned by Seminoles. Rebuilt in 1837 as a supply depot. Site located on shore of Lake Monroe, now Mellonville Ave. and Second Street. Sanford was originally called Mellonville.
Fort Reid (1840 - 1842, 1849), near Sanford on Lake Monroe. Used as a settlers' fort between Federal garrisons.
Fort Comfort (1835), north-side of Lake Concord. A settlers' blockhouse, later renamed Fort Concord.

Lake County
Fort Mason (1837), Fort Mason, north of Eustis on Lake Eustis.
Fort Penton (1856), located in the southeast area of the county.

Sumter County:
Fort McClure (1839, 1842), on the Withlacoochee River at Warm Springs Creek (near Lake Panasoffkee ?). Originally named Camp Wendell in 1839.

Hernando County:
Fort Cooper (2) (1841), south of Croom on Fort Dade Road.
Fort Cross (1) (1838 - 1842), east of Brooksville. Located 19 miles northwest of Fort Dade (2), and 21 miles southwest of Fort Armstrong.
Fort Plentiful (1844), located between Brooksville and Warm Springs.
Fort Taylor (3) (1856 ?), six miles south of Brooksville.
Fort Tyler (unknown dates), unknown location. (May be a reference to Fort Taylor above)
Fort De Soto (1) (1840's), Brooksville. Built before 1845, with settlement starting in 1845, it later became a trading post. The town was previously known as Pierceville until 1871.
Fort Annuteeliga (1840 - 1841), north of Brooksville.
Fort Lindsay (1836), northeast of Brooksville on the Withlacoochee River.

Citrus County:
Fort Broadnax (1836), south of Floral City.
Camp Worth (1841), near Fort Cooper (1).
Fort McLemore (1836), three miles north of Citronelle on the Withlacoochee River. A stockaded blockhouse, renamed Fort Halliman (aka The Forgotten Blockhouse). Attacked by Seminoles in 1836.
Camp Blodgett (1836), near Citrus Springs.

NEED MORE INFO: Fort Island Beach near Crystal River. Spanish-American War Camp Wrenn (1898) (location ?).

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