Fort King facts for kids
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Fort King Site
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Historical marker near site of the fort
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Ocala, Florida |
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| Built | 1827 |
| Architectural style | Fort |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000320 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 24, 2004 |
| Designated NHL | February 24, 2004 |
Fort King was an important United States Army fort in central Florida. It was located near what is now the city of Ocala. The fort was also known as Camp King or Cantonment King. It was named after Colonel William King. He was a commander in the army and an early governor of the West Florida region.
The fort was built in 1827. This was a time when the United States had disagreements with the Seminole people in Florida. The Seminole were a Native American tribe, mostly from the Creek people. Fort King was first built to create a safe zone between new settlers and the Seminole.
In the 1830s, Fort King became a key base for the U.S. Army. It played a big role during the Seminole Wars. These wars involved the government moving the Seminole people to new lands. After the wars, the fort was used as a courthouse in 1844. This happened when Marion County was officially formed.
Eventually, the fort was no longer needed and was taken apart. Local residents used its materials for other buildings. Today, the original site of Fort King is a protected National Historic Landmark. You can find it near East Fort King Street and 39th Avenue in Ocala. A new, historically accurate fort was built on the site in late 2017.
Scientists have studied the land where Fort King stands. They found that people lived there long before the fort was built. Native American groups lived on this site for thousands of years. Some evidence shows people lived there as early as 6500 BC. That's over 8,000 years ago!
Contents
Exploring Fort King's Past
Ancient Life at Fort King
Before Fort King was built, this area was home to many different groups of indigenous peoples. Archeologists have found proof of human life here. They found signs of people living here between 6500 and 2000 BC. There was also a later period of life from 200 to 1500 AD. These discoveries show how long people have lived in this part of Florida.
Building and Using the Fort
The United States Army built Fort King in 1827. Its main purpose was to separate new European American settlers from the Seminole. The Treaty of Moultrie Creek had set aside land for the Seminole to the south. Fort King was placed in a very important spot. It was at the center of many military roads. These roads connected the fort to other places like Palatka and Jacksonville.
After 1829, the fort was not used as much. But in 1832, it became active again. This was because of the Treaty of Payne's Landing. This treaty was part of the plan to move the Seminole people. They were to be moved to a new area west of the Mississippi River.
The Second Seminole War started in late 1835. This made Fort King even more important. It became a main center for the U.S. Army for the next seven years. Its location was very helpful for military actions. In 1835, the Seminole people burned down the first Fort King. A new fort was quickly built in the same spot in 1836. This is the replica you can see there today.
A famous event happened near the fort in 1835. On December 23, Major Francis L. Dade left another fort to help Fort King. His group was ambushed in what is now called the Dade battle.
After the wars, Fort King had a new job. In 1844, it became the first courthouse for Marion County. But over time, the building was no longer used. Early residents took it apart to reuse the building materials.
Fort King Today
In 1927, a group called the Ocala Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution bought the fort's memorial land. They wanted to protect its history. They raised money to put up a granite monument. This monument honors the brave people who served there. In 2017, they held another ceremony. A new granite bench was dedicated at the site.
You might have heard of the 1953 movie Seminole. It is set around Fort King. But remember, the events in the movie are not historically accurate.
In 2013, the Fort King Heritage Association was created. This group works to develop and protect the site. In 2017, a copy of the fort was rebuilt on the original land. The site is 37 acres of open land in a neighborhood. The City of Ocala and Marion County own it together.
There are three special markers at the site:
- A Memorial Marker near the fort.
- A National Historic Landmark marker. This was put there in February 2004.
- A marker at the old Fort Cemetery Site.
In December 2022, the Festival of Fort King returned to the park. This event includes living history displays. It helps people learn about life at the fort long ago.
