Dade Battlefield Historic State Park facts for kids

Dade Battlefield Historic Memorial
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Park entrance
Location in Florida
Location	Sumter County, Florida, USA
Nearest city	Bushnell, Florida
Area	80 acres (32 ha)
NRHP reference No.	72000353
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	April 14, 1972
Designated NHL	November 7, 1973

Dade Battlefield Historic State Park is a special park in Sumter County, Florida. It's located between Interstate 75 (Exit 314) and U.S. Route 301. This park covers about 80 acres (32 hectares). It has 40 acres (16 hectares) of pine flatwoods and a live oak forest area called a hammock.

The park is also known as the Dade Massacre site. It protects the battlefield where Seminole warriors fought against soldiers led by Major Francis L. Dade. This happened on December 28, 1835, and it marked the start of the Second Seminole War. Every year, around Christmas, the Dade Battlefield Society puts on a reenactment of this important battle.

This site is also a United States National Historic Landmark. It received this special title on April 14, 1972.

Discovering the Park's Past

The Second Seminole War Begins

The Treaty of Moultrie Creek was signed in 1824. It set aside land for the Seminoles as a reservation. This land included the future battle site. However, white settlers started moving onto this land, breaking the treaty. Also, slave hunters entered the reservation to capture black Seminoles. The government then decided to move the Seminoles again, even though their chiefs protested. These actions made the Seminoles very angry.

On December 28, 1835, around 8:00 AM, the Seminoles attacked. They were led by Chief Micanopy. They ambushed Major Francis L. Dade and 107 of his soldiers. Dade's group was traveling to Fort King (which is now Ocala, Florida). They were going to help the troops there. In the first attack, Major Dade, another officer, and half of the soldiers were killed.

For the next six hours, Dade's remaining soldiers and the Seminoles fought. Almost all of Dade's men were killed. Only three soldiers survived the battle. Privates Joseph Sprague and Ransom Clarke made it back to Fort Brooke (now Tampa, Florida). Sprague continued to serve in the war. Clarke died from his injuries five years later. This event, known as the Dade Massacre, started the Second Seminole War.

Fort Armstrong: A Supply Base

General Thomas Sidney Jesup ordered a supply base to be built. Major Robert Armstrong led a group of Tennessee militiamen to build Fort Armstrong. It was built at the site of Dade's Massacre.

A few days after the fort was built, Brigadier General Keith Call led an attack. He targeted Seminoles living in the Wahoo Swamp. Later, in 1837, Major Thomas Child took command of the fort. He stopped a "Colonel Dill" who was looking for escaped slaves. Jesup also ordered that no government workers could look for slaves at Fort Armstrong. This allowed black Seminoles to enter the fort safely. They would then be sent to reservations west of the Mississippi River. In 1984, a marker was placed at the site of Fort Armstrong by the Sumter County Historical Society.

Efforts to Preserve the Site (Early 1900s)

People wanted to protect the Dade Massacre site for a long time. In 1897, a bill was proposed in the United States Congress. It asked for the site to become a national park.

Florida congressman Stephen Sparkman also worked to save the site. On January 27, 1904, he introduced a bill to create a national park there. He tried again in 1907 and 1912. These bills asked for money to put up a marker and protect the battlefield. In 1919, another Florida representative, Henry Jackson Drane, also pushed for a memorial at the site.

Creating the Park (1920s)

Newspapers in Florida, like the Leesburg Commercial, encouraged lawmakers to place a marker at the site. At the state level, people tried to create a memorial park in the early 1920s.

Lake County judge J. C. B. Koonce was very interested in the battle. He started developing the area into a park in 1908. In 1921, as a representative in the Florida House, Koonce worked with other lawmakers. They urged the Florida legislature to protect the site.

In 1921, Florida chose Koonce and two others to be commissioners for Dade Memorial Park. They were allowed to buy 80 acres of land around the massacre site. They bought it from local families for $2,000. The state also put this board in charge of running the park.

After the law passed, local residents helped clear the land for the park. During the 1920s, Judge Koonce created statues of soldiers and Seminoles. He also ordered a bronze statue of Major Dade. He built a gazebo and monuments showing where officers fell. Koonce and his son, O. B. Koonce, took care of the park's grounds. He also worked to get an archway at the entrance and a road leading to the park in 1926. Electricity was also brought to the park.

Celebrating 100 Years (1935)

In 1935, Judge Koonce suggested a ceremony to remember the 100th anniversary of the Dade Massacre. They planned a reenactment of the battle. They also wanted to invite Seminoles to formally sign a peace treaty.

The plans grew to include a parade, a barbecue, concerts, and speeches. On December 28, 1935, over 5,000 people attended the ceremony. Florida's governor was also there.

World War II Era

During World War II, Dade Memorial Park was used by the United States Army. From January to June 1944, the Army Air Corps trained people in Morse code and radio communication there. Soldiers from the 622nd Signal Aircraft Warning Company were moved from the park in May 1944.

The park also provided housing for soldiers working at the Bushnell Army Airfield. Tents and a supply room were set up near the battle's breastworks. There was also a mess hall, an office, a motor pool, and a shower room. Other buildings were also built in different parts of the park.

Changes in the 1950s

In 1949, the Florida Legislature changed who managed the park. It was moved under the Board of Parks and Historical Memorials. New buildings were added. A recreation lodge was finished in 1957. The museum opened on July 4, 1957. By 1959, the park had a playground, tennis courts, a baseball field, shuffleboard and horseshoe courts, picnic shelters, and a barbecue shed.

Later, the Division of Natural Resources tried to make the park look like it did during the battle. They removed the archway, some monuments, and a pelican statue. However, many Sumter County residents were upset. They felt these changes disrespected Judge Koonce's original vision. Residents even put the discarded monuments back in the park. When officials realized the statue of Dade was a Union soldier, they tried to raise money for a new one. But county residents opposed this, feeling the state was telling them what to do. In 1983, a plaque was added to explain that the statue honored all fallen Sumter County soldiers.

Discoveries in the 1960s

Around 1968, workers found several metal cylinders at the park. They were about 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) long. They thought these might be old military items buried during World War II. The workers gave them to a state agency. According to a former civil defense director, one of the vials exploded while the agency was studying it.

Recognizing History (1970s)

On January 22, 1973, Dade Battlefield was nominated to be on the National Register of Historic Places. It was officially listed on November 7, 1973. In 1994, the National Park Service named it a National Historic Landmark. This helped people study the park's history, especially its role in military and Native American conflicts.

In 1976, Florida chose Dade Battlefield State Historic Site as a Florida Bicentennial Trail site. To highlight its history, the Division of Recreation and Parks tried to remove the playground, baseball field, and tennis courts. They also made the road safer for visitors. They planned to get a cannon for the battlefield. By 2004, one tennis court and two shuffleboard courts remained.

Reenactments and Discoveries (1980s)

The first reenactment of Dade's Massacre since 1935 happened on December 28, 1980. This was for the battle's 145th anniversary. Frank Laumer, an expert on the Dade Massacre, dressed as Private Ransom Clarke. He told the story of the battle to 300 people. Park rangers, dressed in old uniforms, set up a camp like Dade's.

The first full two-hour reenactment since 1935 took place on December 28, 1985. In 1987, a 5-foot (1.5-meter) high mound was built on the baseball field. This helped visitors see the reenactment better. A Tampa TV station showed parts of a hike led by Laumer from the Hillsborough River to the park. This happened from December 27, 1988, to January 1, 1989. A record 4,500 people came to the reenactment on January 1, 1989. This led the Dade Battlefield Society to think about building an amphitheater. The Florida Department of Natural Resources approved it. For the December 28, 1989, reenactment, the event was expanded to two days.

Also, on December 29, 1989, an officer's sword arrived at the park. It belonged to an artillery officer from Dade's command. The sword was on loan from the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Ray Giron and Frank Laumer found out about the sword in a magazine. They contacted the Smithsonian and learned the sword had been in their collection since 1880. Giron and Laumer asked for the sword to be loaned to the Dade Battlefield museum. The sword was displayed with a money belt and sash that belonged to Lt. William Basinger, one of Dade's officers.

World War II Commemoration (1990s)

In 1996, the Dade Battlefield State Historic Site hosted its first annual World War II Commemorative Day. Since then, this event has grown. It now includes reenactors representing both sides of the war. There are also vendors, music, encampments, vehicles, and food.

Modern Challenges and Celebrations (2000s)

On July 8, 2003, over 70 children and 100 adults from the Seminole Hollywood Youth Conference visited the park. This was part of a "Looking Back at the Seminole Trail" tour. It was a chance for Seminole adults and children to visit battlegrounds. Many had never visited these sites before. While Seminoles had acted in reenactments, this was the first time the Seminole Tribe formally visited the park. During the visit, elders Billy Cypress and Bobby Henry, along with park ranger Chuck Wicks, explained both sides of the conflict. The group then walked the trails and visited the museum.

In January 2011, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) listed the park as one of 53 that might close. This was to cut the agency's budget. DEP said parks like Dade Battlefield were chosen because of their visitor numbers and lack of camping. Residents and state Senator Paula Dockery were very upset. To get more interest in the park, the Dade Battlefield Society organized events like a bluegrass festival. Residents also formed "Friends of Dade Battlefield" to help the park. In February 2011, Florida Governor Rick Scott met with DEP officials. He disagreed with the plan, saying Florida has "great parks" that need to be preserved.

In April 2013, the park held its first annual Swallow-tailed Kite and Wildlife Festival. Swallow-tailed kites are birds that visit the park. The Dade Battlefield Society created the festival to teach people about these birds. Activities included talks about the kites, kite building, birdhouse construction, and watching the birds.

What You Can Do at the Park

The park has monuments that show where officers died during the battle. These stretch from the entrance for about 300 feet (91.44 meters). The museum tells the story of the Seminole War. It's about 49 feet (15 meters) from a replica of the breastworks (a defensive wall).

You can enjoy many activities here. These include picnicking, seeing exhibits at the visitor center, and watching wildlife. There's a nature trail that is 3,499 feet (1,066.5 meters) long. It winds through the pine flatwoods.

The park also has a gazebo and a lodge that can hold 96 people. The lodge has a kitchen. Outdoor areas can be rented for events like weddings. There's a tennis court, two shuffleboard courts, six picnic shelters, and a barbecue shelter. Restrooms are also available. You can even find several geocaches hidden in the park. The park is open every day from 8 a.m. until sundown. The visitor's center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weather at the Park

In January, the average low temperature is about 45.5°F (7.5°C). The average high is about 70.9°F (21.6°C). In July, the average high is about 91.5°F (33.0°C). The average low is about 70.5°F (21.4°C). The park gets about 50.04 inches (127.10 centimeters) of rain each year. It has never snowed there in recorded history.

Nature at Dade Battlefield

Park's Ground and Water

The park is mostly flat, about 69 feet (21 meters) above sea level. It's part of Florida's Central Highlands. The lowest spot is a small pit used for burning plants. The main rock under the park is limestone. A company once thought about mining limestone nearby, but the quality wasn't good enough.

The soil at Dade Battlefield has two types of sand: Kanapaha sand and Sparr fine sand. Kanapaha sand is gray and doesn't drain water well. It formed from ocean sediments with sand and loam. This sand supports forest areas. Sparr fine sand is dark gray and also doesn't drain well. It supports pine, oak, magnolia, dogwood, and hickory trees. These sands formed over millions of years.

The city of Bushnell provides the park's drinking water. The park also has a ditch that connects two ponds. One is Center Pond, south of Bushnell. The other is Webb's Pond, which is next to the park and was called "Death Pond" in old records. Four bridges cross this ditch in the park. Usually, the ditch drains into nearby swamps. But in 1994, 1995, and 1998, water flowed in the ditch because of heavy rains.

Plants and Animals

The area of the battlefield was originally a pine barren. This means it was mostly covered by pines and palmettos. Today, it's known as longleaf pine mesic flatwoods. Over time, the land changed. In 1828, soldiers and slaves built the Fort King Road. They cut down trees and plants to make a 20-foot (6.1-meter) wide road. In the early 1900s, the remaining pine trees were used for turpentine and logging. By 1927, oak trees were more common. During World War II, pine stumps were removed. In the 1970s, the Florida DEP used controlled burns. This helped keep the pine flatwoods from turning into an oak forest. In 1976, non-native plants were removed, and longleaf pines were planted. In 2012, local gardeners replanted public areas with native Florida plants.

Today, about 45 acres of the original longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) habitat remain. Five acres of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) have been planted. The rare Florida anise (Illicium parviflorum) has been seen in the park.

You can see many animals here, like woodpeckers, songbirds, and hawks. Indigo snakes have also been sighted. Several gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) live in the park. Eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon corais couperi) have also been seen. Live oaks (Quercus virginiana) cover the rest of the park.

Dade Battlefield Society

The Dade Battlefield Society is a group that helps protect the Dade Battlefield State Historic Site. It started on June 8, 1987. Its goal is to teach people about Dade's Massacre.

Since it began, the Society has sponsored the yearly reenactment of the massacre. It also shares information about the battle with the public. They have made two videos: a 30-minute video about the battle and a short film shown at the Visitors Center. The Society also rebuilt a defensive wall (breastwork) and made sure it faced the correct direction. In 2002, the Society bought a six-pound cannon. It is like the one Dade's men used in the battle.

The annual reenactment starts at 2:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. An actor playing Private Ransom Clarke tells the story before the battle. The battle begins with Seminoles and Dade's men exchanging gunfire. After a moment of silence, the actors talk to the public. Throughout the day, there are demonstrations, talks, folk music, musket shooting contests, and a trade fair.

Nearby Places to Explore

The city of Bushnell is located north and east of Dade Battlefield Historic State Park.

The town of Wahoo is about six miles (9.6 kilometers) west of the park. The Wahoo area was a safe place for the Seminoles during the Second Seminole War. The United States Army and the Seminoles fought the Battle of the Withlacoochee River near Wahoo on December 29, 1835. The army searched the area many times during the war. Today, Wahoo is a populated area in Sumter County. The battle site is protected by Florida as part of the Florida Forever Priority List.

Images for kids

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  Picture of visitor center from behind redoubt. According to plaques there, the redoubt is on the site where Major Dade's soldiers made their last stand.

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