Fort Hanson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Hanson |
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| Fort Hanson was located approx. 13 Miles Southwest of St. Augustine, Florida. in United States | |
Fort Hanson - Second Seminole War Fort (artist's depiction).
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 Fort Hanson
Fort Hanson
Location of Fort Hanson
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| Coordinates | 29°49′29″N 81°21′36″W / 29.82472°N 81.36000°W |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Completely destroyed. |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1838 |
| Built by | United States Army |
| In use | 1838-1840 |
| Materials | Pine log blockhouse |
| Fate | Abandoned in 1840 and burnt to the ground by the Seminole Indians and their allies. |
| Battles/wars | None recorded. |
| Events | Defense of St. Augustine during the Second Seminole War. |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
R.H.K. Whitley, 1st Lt. |
| Garrison | Regular army troops. |
Fort Hanson was a small blockhouse fort built by the United States Army in 1838. It was one of many military outposts created during the Second Seminole War. These forts were placed near important roads and waterways. They were also built close enough so soldiers could travel between them in about a day.
Fort Hanson's main job was to protect the St. Augustine area in what was then the Florida Territory. Many white settlers and their enslaved people had fled to St. Augustine for safety. They came from nearby farms and settlements. St. Augustine was also a key shipping port and supply center for the war. Because of the many civilians, the city needed strong military protection. Fort Hanson was originally located about thirteen miles southwest of St. Augustine.
A Short History of Fort Hanson
Fort Hanson was built in 1838 by First Lieutenant R.H.K. Whiteley of the 2nd Artillery Regiment. Regular U.S. Army troops were stationed there. The fort was also responsible for scouting the area. It sent messages to U.S. Army troops in St. Augustine. This warned them about any Seminole activity nearby.
After only two years, Fort Hanson was ordered to be abandoned. This order came on May 13, 1840, from Joel Roberts Poinsett, who was the United States Secretary of War. Poinsett sent a letter to General Walker Keith Armistead. General Armistead was the commander of the U.S. Army from 1840 to 1841. The order was to abandon two forts near St. Augustine: Fort Hanson and Fort Peyton.
Fort Hanson was left empty in 1840. Later, the Seminoles burned it to the ground. No attacks or battles were ever recorded at Fort Hanson during the Second Seminole War.
How Fort Hanson Got Its Name
The fort was most likely named after Colonel John Hanson. He was a plantation owner from St. Augustine. The first records for the fort show up in March 1838. They state that the 2nd Artillery Regiment was stationed there.
Some people thought the fort was named after First Lieutenant Weightman Kay Hanson. He was with the 7th Infantry Regiment. However, W.K. Hanson was recruiting soldiers in New York in 1838. He did not arrive in Florida or take part in the war until 1839. This makes it unlikely the fort was named after him.
Where Fort Hanson Was Located
Today, the exact spot of Fort Hanson is not marked. We know its approximate location from old records and maps. However, no professional archaeological survey has been done. This means experts have not dug up the area to find its exact original spot.
Historical records show the fort was on the south side of Deep Creek. This was on the west side of the St. Johns River. It protected the road that ran between Picolata and Palatka.
