Dade Battlefield Historic State Park facts for kids
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Dade Battlefield Historic Memorial
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Park entrance
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 Location in Florida
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| Location | Sumter County, Florida, USA |
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| Nearest city | Bushnell, Florida |
| Area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000353 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| 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 and U.S. Route 301. This park covers 80 acres, with 40 acres of pine forests and a live oak grove. It's also known as the Dade Massacre site. This place remembers a famous battle from the Second Seminole War. In this battle, Seminole warriors and their Black Seminole friends fought against soldiers led by Major Francis L. Dade on December 28, 1835.
Every year, around Christmas, the Dade Battlefield Society puts on a show. They reenact the battle that started the Second Seminole War. This park is also a National Historic Landmark in the United States. It was given this important title on April 14, 1972.
Contents
History of Dade Battlefield
The Second Seminole War Begins
The United States government made a deal with the Seminoles in 1824. This deal, called the Treaty of Moultrie Creek, gave the Seminoles a special area of land. But white settlers started moving onto this land, even though it was against the treaty. Also, people looking for runaway slaves often went onto the Seminole land without permission.
The government also wanted to move the Seminoles to new lands far away. This was part of the Indian Removal Act and the Treaty of Payne's Landing. Seminole chiefs were very upset about these plans. All these problems made the Seminoles angry.
On December 28, 1835, about 130 Seminole warriors attacked Major Dade and his 100 soldiers. The soldiers were marching to Fort King (which is now Ocala, Florida). The attack happened around 8:00 AM. Major Dade and many of his men were killed right away. For the next six hours, the soldiers and Seminoles fought. In the end, almost all of Dade's men were killed. Only three soldiers and their guide, Louis Pacheco, survived. This event, known as the Dade Massacre, started the Second Seminole War.
Fort Armstrong and Early Efforts
In 1836, General Thomas Sidney Jesup ordered a fort to be built at the battle site. It was named Fort Armstrong. From this fort, General Richard Keith Call led an attack on Seminoles living nearby. Later, in 1837, Major Thomas Childs was in charge of the fort. He made sure that Black Seminoles could come to the fort safely. This helped them move to new lands west of the Mississippi River. In 1984, a marker was placed at the site of Fort Armstrong.
People wanted to save the Dade battle site for a long time. In 1897, a bill was introduced in the United States Congress to make it a national park. Florida leaders like Stephen Sparkman and Henry Jackson Drane worked hard to make this happen. They tried many times to get money for a marker and to protect the land.
Creating Dade Memorial Park
In the early 1900s, newspapers in Florida also asked for a marker at the site. Judge J. C. B. Koonce from Lake County was very interested in the battle. He started working to turn the area into a park in 1908. In 1921, Judge Koonce and other state leaders asked the Florida government to save the site.
That same year, Florida chose Judge Koonce and others to buy 80 acres of land for the park. They bought the land for $2,000. Local people helped clear the land to create the park. During the 1920s, Judge Koonce made statues of soldiers and Seminoles. He also built a gazebo and monuments to show where officers fell. He worked with his son to keep the park beautiful. He also helped get a road and electricity for the park.
Celebrating 100 Years and World War II Use
In 1935, Judge Koonce planned a big event to celebrate 100 years since the Dade Massacre. They planned a parade, a barbecue, concerts, and a full reenactment of the battle. On December 28, 1935, over 5,000 people came, including Florida's governor.
During World War II, Dade Memorial Park was used by the United States Army. From January to June 1944, soldiers trained there in Morse code and radio. The park also provided housing for soldiers working at the nearby Bushnell Army Airfield. Tents, a mess hall, and other buildings were set up in the park.
Park Changes and Restoration Efforts
In 1949, the park became part of Florida's Board of Parks and Historical Memorials. New buildings were added, like a recreation lodge in 1957 and a museum that opened on July 4, 1957. By 1959, the park had a playground, tennis courts, a baseball field, and picnic areas.
Later, people wanted to make the park look more like it did during the battle. So, some of the newer additions, like an archway and some statues, were removed. But local residents were upset. They felt these changes disrespected Judge Koonce's original ideas. They even put some of the discarded monuments back in the park. In 1983, a plaque was added to explain that a statue of a soldier represented all fallen soldiers from Sumter County.
Becoming a National Historic Landmark
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, it was also named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical site in the United States.
In 1976, Florida chose Dade Battlefield as a Bicentennial Trail site. To highlight its history, some recreational areas like the playground and tennis courts were planned for removal. The goal was to bring the park closer to its historical appearance.
Reenactments and Discoveries
The first modern reenactment of Dade's Massacre happened on December 28, 1980. A historian named Frank Laumer, dressed as a soldier, told the story of the battle. Park rangers also set up a camp like the soldiers would have had.
The first full two-hour reenactment since 1935 took place on December 28, 1985. In 1987, a large mound was built on the baseball field. This helped visitors see the reenactment better. By 1989, the reenactment became a two-day event because so many people wanted to see it.
Also in 1989, a special sword arrived at the park. It belonged to an officer from Major Dade's command. This sword had been at the Smithsonian Institution since 1880. It was put on display in the park's museum.
Modern Events and Challenges
In 1996, the park started hosting an annual World War II Commemorative Day. This event has grown to include reenactors, vehicles, and music from that time.
In 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 the first time members of the Seminole Tribe formally visited the park. Elders explained both sides of the battle to the group.
In January 2011, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) planned to close Dade Battlefield and other parks. This was to save money. But residents and state leaders were very upset. They organized events and a group called "Friends of Dade Battlefield" to save the park. Florida Governor Rick Scott disagreed with the closures, saying Florida has "great parks." The park remained open.
In April 2013, the park held its first Swallow-tailed Kite and Wildlife Festival. This festival teaches people about these beautiful birds that visit the park. Activities include lectures, kite building, and birdhouse making.
Things to Do at the Park
You can find monuments at the park that show where officers died during the battle. The park's museum tells more about the Seminole War. It's located near a replica of the soldiers' defense wall.
There are many fun things to do here! You can have a picnic, explore the visitor center, and watch for wildlife. A nature trail winds through the pine forests. The park also has a gazebo, a lodge for events, a tennis court, shuffleboard courts, and picnic shelters. You can even find hidden geocaches 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 weather is cool, with average lows around 45.5°F (7.5°C) and highs around 70.9°F (21.6°C). In July, it's hot, with average highs around 91.5°F (33.1°C) and lows around 70.5°F (21.4°C). The park gets about 50 inches (127 cm) of rain each year. It never snows here.
Nature at Dade Battlefield
Land and Soil
The park is mostly flat, about 69 feet (21 meters) above sea level. The main rock under the park is limestone. The soil is made of two types of sand: Kanapaha sand and Sparr fine sand. Both are gray, drain slowly, and were formed from ancient marine sediments. These soils support forests with pines, oaks, magnolias, and hickories.
The city of Bushnell provides the park's drinking water. There's also a ditch that connects two ponds. Four bridges cross this ditch in the park.
Plants and Animals
The battlegrounds were originally covered in pine forests with palmetto plants. This is now called longleaf pine mesic flatwoods. Over time, the land changed. In 1828, soldiers cut down trees to build the Fort King Road. Later, pines were used for wood and turpentine. During World War II, pine stumps were removed.
Today, 45 acres of the original longleaf pine habitat remain. You can also find slash pine trees. A rare plant called Florida anise has been seen here. The park is home to many animals, including woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks, and indigo snakes. You might also spot gopher tortoises and Eastern indigo snakes. Live oak trees cover the rest of the park.
Dade Battlefield Society
The Dade Battlefield Society is a group that helps protect the park. It started on June 8, 1987. Their goal is to teach people about Dade's Massacre. The Society organizes the yearly reenactment of the battle. They also share information about the battle and have made videos about it.
The Society helped rebuild the soldiers' defense wall and made sure it faced the correct direction. In 2002, they bought a cannon like the one Dade's men used in the battle.
The annual reenactment happens on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. An actor playing Private Ransom Clarke tells the story before the battle starts. Seminole actors from the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation play the Seminole warriors. After the battle, the reenactors talk to the public. There are also demonstrations, lectures, music, and contests during the day.
Nearby Places to Explore
The city of Bushnell is located north and east of the park. The town of Wahoo is about 6 miles (10 km) to the west. Wahoo was a safe place for the Seminoles during the Second Seminole War. The United States Army and the Seminoles fought another battle, the Battle of the Withlacoochee River, near Wahoo on December 29, 1835. Today, the battle site near Wahoo is protected by the state of Florida.
Gallery
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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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