Fort Foster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Foster Historic Site |
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 Fort Foster Historic Site
Location in Florida
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| Location | Hillsborough County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | Zephyrhills, Florida |
| Established | June 13, 1972 |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
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Fort Foster
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| Nearest city | Zephyrhills, Florida |
| Area | 30 acres (12.1 ha) |
| Architect | Foster, Lt. Col. William, S. |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000324 |
| Added to NRHP | June 13, 1972 |
Fort Foster (now called Fort Foster Historic Site) is a special place in central Florida. It was a fort used during the Second Seminole War. This war was a big conflict between the United States Army and the Seminole people. The fort is located about 9 miles (14 km) south of a town called Zephyrhills in Pasco County. Today, you can visit a reconstructed version of the fort and learn about its history.
Contents
Building Fort Foster: A Stronghold for Soldiers
Fort Foster was first built in December 1836. Lieutenant Colonel William S. Foster led the project. He chose the same spot where an older fort, Fort Alabama, once stood. That fort had been destroyed earlier.
Starting the Construction
On December 1, 1836, Colonel Foster arrived with 430 men. Their job was to rebuild the fort and a nearby bridge. By December 19, they had built two strong blockhouses. They also put up a large storehouse and the main fort.
Supplying the Troops
A few days later, on December 22, Colonel Foster left with 180 men. They took 25 wagons filled with supplies. These supplies were for another fort called Fort Armstrong. The men who stayed behind finished building the bridge and a safe place for gunpowder.
A Strong Fort is Built
In January 1837, Colonel Foster was very proud of their work. He wrote a letter saying that Fort Foster and its bridge were "one of the best and strongest field fortifications ever erected against Indians." This shows how important and well-built the fort was.
Why Fort Foster Was So Important
Fort Foster was a very important military base. Its main purpose was to protect the bridge over the Hillsborough River. It also guarded the valuable supplies kept inside.
Protecting Supplies for Soldiers
The army needed places to store food and equipment. These supply depots were built deeper into Seminole lands. This allowed soldiers to stay in the field longer. They could then try to capture Seminole warriors.
What Was Stored at the Fort?
Fort Foster held many important items. It had:
- A six-pounder gun and a twelve-pounder howitzer. These were types of cannons.
- At least 100 rounds of ammunition for each cannon.
- Forty thousand rounds of rifle powder and bullets.
- Fifty thousand ball and buckshot cartridges.
- Fifty thousand food rations for soldiers.
- Ten thousand bushels of corn, likely for horses.
- Many different tools, iron, steel, nails, and ropes. These were all needed for army work.
Who Guarded Fort Foster?
In January 1837, the army soldiers left Fort Foster. They went to find Seminole warriors and build other forts. But Fort Foster still needed protection.
Navy Lieutenant Thomas J. Leib took charge of the fort. He had two midshipmen and about 50 sailors with him. These sailors were from a ship called the USS Concord.
Artillery Support
To help defend the fort, 20 artillerymen joined them. These soldiers were from the 3rd and 4th Artillery Regiments. They were skilled at using the cannons. They helped protect the fort and the bridge.
Battles and Changes at the Fort
Fort Foster saw several small battles in February 1837. These were part of the Second Seminole War.
Fighting Off Attacks
During these skirmishes, the Navy sailors and artillerymen fought bravely. They stopped Seminole attacks. They also prevented the Seminoles from burning the important bridge.
New Troops Arrive
In March 1837, new soldiers arrived. Members of the 1st and 2nd Artillery Regiments replaced the sailors. About 25 Creek Indian Volunteers also joined the fort's defense.
Abandoning the Fort Temporarily
During the summer, the fort was left empty. There was less fighting at the time. Also, many soldiers got sick during what was called the "sickly season." It was too dangerous to keep many troops there.
Later Years and Today
Fort Foster was used again for a short time. It was reactivated in the fall of 1837 until the summer of 1838. It served as a supply post once more.
Opening and Closing Times
After that, the fort was mostly abandoned. It opened only for short periods in 1841-1842 and again in 1849. This happened when there was a threat from Seminole activity.
A Historic Site Today
On June 13, 1972, the fort site was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical place. The state of Florida rebuilt the fort on its original site. It opened to the public in February 1980.
Today, the Florida State Park system owns and runs it. It's called Fort Foster State Historic Site. It's also part of the larger Hillsborough River State Park.
Gallery
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A sign explaining the fort's history
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A view of the fort's wooden fence, called a stockade
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Inside the fort, showing some of the buildings
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Another look at the fort's interior
