Middle Florida

Last Update: 25/AUGUST/2007

Camp Gordon Johnston (Museum)
(1942 - 1946), Carrabelle
A WWII training camp for Army Amphibious Engineer units and support groups, notably the 38th, 28th, and 4th Infantry Divisions. Museum is located in former Post Theater (1943) at 302 Marine Street.
* This entry is listed here for historical interest only. *

Camp Apalachicola
(1862), Apalachicola
A Union camp established after the Confederates evacuated the port. Located downtown is Battery Park.
CSA Camp Davis (1861) was nearby on St. Vincent Island.

Fort Coombs
(1901 - present ?), Apalachicola
The FL National Guard Armory in town is inscribed with this name on the exterior facade. Home of the Franklin Guards.

Fort Gadsden (State Historic Site)
(1818 - 1821, 1862 - 1863), Fort Gadsden
Built on the site of Fort Blount (1) (or Blount's Fort (1)) (1814 - 1816) or British Post, which was renamed Fort Nichols (1) and left to former slaves and fugitive Seminoles. The Americans from Fort Scott blew up the "Negro Fort" (2) in 1816. In 1818 the Americans rebuilt it and named it Fort Apalachicola. It was soon renamed to the present name. It was abandoned. Confederates used it during the Civil War, armed with four guns. Remnants of both forts still exist. Another website from NPS.

Battery Point Fort
(1861), near Rock Bluff
A Confederate battery on the Apalachicola River. Earthworks and a magazine remain. Site is half-mile from Torreya State Park entrance.

Mission de la Encarnación a la Santa Cruz
(1675 - unknown), Chattahoochee ?
A Spanish Franciscan mission located at the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers. Served the Sabacola Indians. In intermittent use, it was not known to be fortified. Listed here for historical interest only.

Apalachicola Arsenal
(1832 - 1866), Chattahoochee
Originally known as Mount Vernon Arsenal, and also Chattahoochee Arsenal. Completed in 1838. Captured by Confederates in 1861. Transferred to the Freedman's Bureau in 1866, and in 1870 to the state as a mental hospital. Some original buildings still remain, greatly modified.

Camp Forbes or
(unknown dates), near Chattahoochee
From the Seminole Wars or the Civil War.

Camp Cobb
(1861), Quincy
A Confederate camp that protected nearby saltworks.

Captain Phillips' Fort
(1777), near Jamieson
A Loyalist settler's fort located along the Little River. Nearby, or possibly the same fort, was Joel Phillips' Fort (1777).

Fort on Ochlockonee River
(1700 ? - 1704), Wakulla County
A Spanish fort located about 30 miles upriver from the mouth, that was destroyed by the South Carolina colonial militia in 1704. Possibly located near Smith Creek, east of Bradwell Bay.

Fort San Luís de Apalachee
(1656 - 1704), Tallahassee *PHOTOS*
Military headquarters for the Spanish settlements of the Apalachee Province. Improved in the 1670's, it was a moated, palisaded four-bastioned wooden fort, with a 90 by 60-foot four-gun blockhouse. Destroyed by the Spanish themselves after the SC colonial militia destroyed several of the surrounding area missions.

Franciscan Mission de San Luís de Talimali (1) (aka San Luís de Xinayca) (1640 - 1656) was originally located at Lake Jackson Mounds (Archaeological State Park) until relocated to a new site (San Luís de Talimali (2) (1656 - 1704)) two miles west of the present-day downtown area. The second site was acquired by the state in 1983, and was extensivey excavated from 1985 to 1998. The entire mission complex has been reconstructed. Located on West Tennessee Street between Ocala Road and White Drive. Read Article from Organization of American Historians

Fort Houston
(1865), Tallahassee
A square breastwork, 100 square feet, hastily created by local citizens after Union Negro troops landed at St. Marks. Site located near Capital City Country Club grounds.

Camp Mary Davis
(1861), near Tallahassee
A Confederate camp.

Camp Smith
(1864), Tallahassee
A group of nine houses used by the CSA as a prison for Floridians loyal to the Union. It lasted only a few months. Located six miles south of downtown.

Natural Bridge Breastworks
(Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park)
(1865), Natural Bridge Spring
Confederate log breastworks used in the 1865 "Battle of Natural Bridge" have been reproduced. PHOTOS

San Marcos de Apalache (State Historic Site)
(1679 - 1682, 1718 - 1824, 1861 - 1865), St. Marks *PHOTOS*
A Spanish settlement and mission here were first established in 1672. A port facility for the Apalachee Province missions was probably in operation here as early as 1639. The settlement was attacked by pirates in 1677. The first Spanish fort built here was wooden and was burned by French pirates in 1682. The second Spanish fort was also wooden and was built in 1718 to reconquer the abandoned Apalachee Province. The third Spanish fort was stone and was built beginning in 1739. It was still unfinished by 1765 when the British took control of West Florida, and was renamed Fort Apalache. The British garrison departed in 1783, and the Spanish regained control of the fort in 1787. Creek Indians under William Bowles took control of the fort for five weeks in 1800. The Americans under General Andrew Jackson occupied the fort briefly in 1818 to control Creek raids into Georgia. The fort was ceded to the U.S. in 1821 with the rest of Florida, and was known as Fort St. Marks. (NOTE: Not to be confused with the British Fort St. Mark (1765 - 1783) in St. Augustine.) Abandoned after 1824, the stone fort was mostly demolished in 1839 to construct a Federal Marine Hospital near the site for yellow fever victims. Some remains of the bombproofs and one bastion still exist. The park's visitor center is built on the foundation of the old hospital. The remains of the old Fort St. Marks were re-occupied by Confederates in 1861 - 1865. A large earth-covered powder magazine still exists, as well as additional earthwork walls. The Union Navy referred to the old fort as Fort Ward (2). The Confederate Camp Ward (1861 - 1865) was across the river from the fort.

Confederate Fort William was located at the St. Marks Lighthouse (1861 - 1862). It became a Union lookout post during the rest of the war. The lighthouse is located at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, southeast of town at the end of FL 59. Admission fee.

Fort Clarke (2) or ?
(1830's ?, 1860's), near Cabbage Grove
A possible Confederate fort. Possibly also from the Seminole Wars. Located 10 miles above the mouth of the Aucilla River, on the west bank of the river, about six miles northeast of Mandalay.

Asile Ranch
(1647 - 1651), near Lamont
Spanish troops garrisoned a cattle ranch located between Franciscan missions San Miguel Asile (1) and San Lorenzo de Ivitachuco in the Apalachee Province along the Aucilla River. The ranch was owned by Spanish Governor Benito Ruíz de Salazar Vallecilla, and was in operation from 1645 - 1652.

Timucua Fort
(1656), Madison County
A wooden stockade built by rebel Timucua mission Indians during the 1656 Timucua Rebellion. Located somewhere near Mission Santa Elena de Machava.

Camp Lay
(1864), near Madison
A camp for Free Blacks recruited into the Confederate Army.

Fort Ayavalia
(1700 - 1704), near Blue Springs
A Spanish fort described as on the lower Aucilla River, but probably on the Econfina River, as it was northwest of Hampton Springs, where old FL 30 crosses the river (above US 98). Destroyed by the SC colonial militia.

Fort Dade (1)
(Suwannee River State Park)
(1830's), Ellaville
A Federal post in the Second Seminole War.
Nearby at Columbus are the remains of a Confederate earthwork fort from 1864. *PHOTOS*

Deadman's Bay Post
(1860's), near Steinhatchee
A Confederate post.

Colonial Spanish Missions of Yustaga

The following Franciscan Missions were established without presidios or other military protection, and are listed here purely for historical interest. Many sites were abandoned, relocated, and/or consolidated after the 1656 Timucua Rebellion. Most sites were again abandoned after the 1702-04 raids by South Carolina militia troops and allied Indians. There may be other mission sites not listed here. The Yustaga District of the Timucua Province encompased the inland area from between the Suwannee / Withlacoochee Rivers and the Aucilla River, but not including the Gulf coastal area.

San Francisco de Chuaquin (1623 ? - 1656), in Madison County near Hansen (?).
San Pedro y San Pablo de Potohiriba (1) (1623 ? - 1656), in Madison County at Lake Sampala west of Hopewell.
San Pedro de Potohiriba (2) (1656 - 1704), in Madison County on the east-side of San Pedro Bay.
Santa Elena de Machava (1628 ? - 1704), in Madison County on Alligator Creek, west of Sirmans.
San Idelfonso de Chamile (1628 ? - 1656), in Madison County near Spray or Dennet (?).
San Miguel de Asile (2) (1656 - 1704 ?), in Madison County southeast of Lamont.
San Mateo de Tolapatafi (1656 ? - 1704), unknown location.

Colonial Spanish Missions of Apalachee

The following Franciscan Missions were established without presidios or other military protection, and are listed here purely for historical interest. Many sites were abandoned, relocated, and/or consolidated after the 1647 Apalachee Rebellion. Most sites were again abandoned after the 1702-04 raids by South Carolina militia troops and allied Indians. There may be other mission sites not listed here. The Apalachee Province encompased the area between the Aucilla River and the Ochlockonee River.

San Miguel de Asile (1) (1628 ? - 1656), in Jefferson County near Lamont.
San Lorenzo de Ivitachuco (1633 - 1704), in Jefferson County near Lamont. Relocated in 1704 to Abosaya (1) near Gainesville.
La Concepción de Ayubale (? - 1704), in Jefferson County near Capps (?), 23 miles southeast of downtown Tallahassee. Site excavated in 1947.
San Juan de Aspalaga (? - 1704), in Jefferson County north of Cody (?) (Pine Tufts Archaeological Site).
San Pedro y San Pablo de Patale (? - 1704), in Leon County near Lafayette (?).
Santa María de Bacuqua (unknown dates), in Leon County near Blocker (?).
San Damián de Cupaica (aka San Cosme y San Damián) (1639 - 1704), in Leon County near Ochlockonee.
San Francisco de Oconee (? - 1704), in Jefferson County near Wacissa or Thomas City (Scott Miller Archaeological Site).
San José de Ocuia (unknown dates), in Leon County near Corey (?).
San Martín de Tomole (1656 ? - ?), in Leon County south of San Luis de Talimali (2).
San Carlos de los Chacatos (1656 - 1704), unknown location.
San Nicolas de Tolentino (1656 - ?), unknown location. Served Chacato Indians newly arrived from west of the Apalachee Province.
Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Tamaja (1) (1656 - ?), unknown location. Served Tama Indians newly arrived from central Georgia. Relocated in 1717 to St. Augustine.
San Pedro de los Chines (1656 - ?), unknown location.
San Antonio de los Chines (1656 - ?), unknown location. Served Chine Indians newly arrived from north or west of the Apalachee Province.

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

Franklin County:
Fort Ocklawaha (unknown dates), near Eastpoint.
James Island Post (1838), St. James Island.

Liberty County:
Bristol Blockhouse (unknown dates), Bristol. A settlers' fort.
Fort Preston (2) (1840 - 1842), on the east-side of the Apalachicola River southwest of Bristol, 13 miles south of Fort Aspalaga (Barbour). (some info provided by Phil Stover)

Gadsden County:
Fort Scott (1816), Chattahoochee. Built to keep watch over Fort Blount (1). The Spanish objected to the presence of this fort, but they never did anything about it. It was blown up shortly after it was built.
Fort Barbour (1841 - 1842), Aspalaga Landing on the Apalachicola River (near I-10 bridge). Also known as Fort Aspalaga.

Leon County:
Fort Virginia Braden (1839 - 1842), Fort Braden, on Jackson Bluff Road, 16-18 miles southwest of Tallahassee, near Holland, on the Ocklockonee River.
Fort Harriett (1840), near Spring Hill (?), or at head of Sopchoppy River (?), 17 miles northwest of St. Marks.
Fort Macomb (a) (1839 - 1842), Natural Bridge Spring, ten miles north of St. Marks. Also known as Fort Number One (M).
Fort Number Two (M) (1839), on the St. Marks River, south of Rose, at Horn Spring.
Fort St. Augustine (1839 ?), located nine miles northeast of Fort Macomb (a).

Wakulla County:
Camp Lawson (1840), near Bethel (?) on the Wakulla River. A log stockade also known as Fort Lawson (2).
Fort Many (1841 - 1842), near Wakulla Springs.
Fort Number Five (M) (1839), near Sopchoppy (?)
Fort Stansbury (1839 - 1843), on the Wakulla River nine miles from St. Marks.
Fort Port Leon (1841 - 1843), Port Leon. Abandoned after a hurricane destroyed it. Site was later used for a CSA gun battery.

Jefferson County:
Fort Roger Jones (1839), near Aucilla (Ocilla Ferry), north of US 90.
Fort Noel (1839 - 1842), south of Lamont on the Aucilla River, six miles northwest of Fort Pleasant in Taylor County. Also known as Fort Number Three (M).
Camp Carter (1838), near Waukeenah.
Fort Welaunee (1838), a settlers' fort on the Welaunee Plantation east of Wacissa (on Welaunee Creek ?). Fort Gamble (1839 - 1843) was later established here.
Fort Aucilla (1843), two miles south-east of Fort Gamble, southwest of Lamont. Also spelled Ocilla.
Fort Wacissa (1838), a settlers' fort located south of Wacissa on the Wacissa River, west of Cabbage Grove (near Hell's Half Acre ?).

Madison County:
Fort Jones (1830's), east-side of the Aucilla River near Lamont, 23 miles from the river mouth.
Fort Vose (1841 - 1842), near Lamont, on the east-side of the river, one mile east, 24 miles from the river mouth.
Fort Number Four (M) (1839), near Sirmans.
Fort Hamilton (1841 - 1843), located east of Fort Vose, near Sirmans.
Madison Blockhouse (1835 - 1842), Madison. A settlers' fort. Site is now Confederate Square.
Fort Jackson (1838 - 1840), located 12 miles southwest of Ellaville, near Dowling Park (on or near Springhead Creek ?).

Taylor County:
Fort Econfina (1840), near Scanlon, five miles above the mouth of the Econfina (Econfinee) River.
Fort Pleasant (1838 - 1842), located 22 miles upriver from the mouth of the Econfina River, on the east-side. Also spelled Pleasants.
Fort Number Seven (M) (1839), located between the mouths of the Econfina and Fenholloway Rivers.
Fort Andrews (1838 - 1840), located six miles up the Fenholloway River from the Gulf, four miles southwest of Hampton Springs. Indians burned it down.
Fort Number Eight (M) (1839), near Perry.
Fort Mitchell (2) (1840), located six miles north of Sadler on the west-side of the Fenholloway River.
Fort Number Ten (M) (1839 - 1840), near the mouth of Spring Warrior Creek at Spring Warrior Camp.
Camp near Adams (1827), Adams Beach (?)
Fort Hulbert (1840), located three miles inland near Fish Creek, midway between Forts Andrews and Frank Brooke, 15 miles northwest of Deadman's Bay.
Fort Number 11 (M) (1839), near Salem (?), may also be near Spring Warrior Creek near Athena (?).
Camp Murat (1840), unknown location.
Fort Number 13 (M) (1839), north shore of Deadman's Bay near the mouth of the Steinhatchee River.
Fort Frank Brooke (1838 - 1840), Steinhatchee. This may have been known as Fort Number 15 (M) in 1839.

Lafayette County:
Fort Atkinson (1839), one mile from Day, three miles west of the Suwannee River.
Fort Number Nine (M) (1839), near Mayo.
Fort Number 12 (M) (1839), south of Mayo.
Fort Macomb (b) (1839 - 1843), three miles below the Suwannee River rapids (near Mayo ?)
Fort Barker (1840), nine miles southwest of Fort Macomb, on the east-side of the Steinhatchee River, near Cooks Hammock.
Fort Parker (unknown dates), near Cooks Hammock.
Fort Buckeye (1849), at Steinhatchee Spring south of Cooks Hammock.
Fort Downing (1840), on the Suwannee River nine miles from the mouth of the Santa Fe River (near Branford Springs ?) Indians burned it down.

Dixie County:
Camp Call (1836), Old Town.
Fort Dabney (1836), less than one mile from Old Town.
Fort Griffin (1840), three miles south(west) of Eugene.
Fort Wool (1830's), ten miles up the Suwannee River, on the west-side opposite Vista.
Fort Number 14 (M) (1839), on California Creek.

NOTE: In 1839 during the Second Seminole War, General Zachary Taylor implemented a plan to divide East Florida into 18-20 mile squares with a 20-man garrison in the center of each. East Florida was divided in half, "Middle" Florida being between the Suwannee River and the Apalachicola River, and duplicate fort numbers were used in East (E) and "Middle" (M) Florida. The highest number recorded was "21".

NEED MORE INFO: Spanish Fort Ayubalet (1700 ? - 1704) somewhere in Apalachee Province, destroyed by SC colonial militia in 1704; Fort Sherrard (1839) (location ?); Camp Brennan (1842) (location ?); Livingstone Ferry Post (1837) on Suwannee River (location ?), possibly listed in EAST FLORIDA; Fort No. 6 (M) (location ?)
Carr's Fort (1777), a Loyalist settler's fort located near the Georgia border (location ?); Well's Fort (1777), a Loyalist settler's fort located near the Georgia border (location ?). Both may be listed in EAST FLORIDA.

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