Okeechobee Battlefield facts for kids
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Okeechobee Battlefield
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Okeechobee County, Florida |
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| Nearest city | Okeechobee |
| Area | 640 acres (260 ha) (original) 440 acres (180 ha) (after 1998 adjustment) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000269 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Boundary decrease | 1998 |
| Designated NHL | July 4, 1961 |
The Okeechobee Battlefield is a special place in Florida where an important battle once took place. It's known as a National Historic Landmark in the United States. This means it's a site that's been officially recognized for its historical importance.
You can find the battlefield about four miles (6 km) southeast of the city of Okeechobee. It's located near Taylor Creek, right off US 441/98. A big fight called the Battle of Lake Okeechobee happened here. This battle was a major part of the Second Seminole War. Today, some of the battlefield is protected as the Okeechobee Battlefield State Historic Park.
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What is the Okeechobee Battlefield?
The Okeechobee Battlefield covers about 440 acres (178 hectares) of land. It's on the east side of Taylor Creek. A lot of this land is now used for farming. However, some parts of the battlefield have been built on, and roads have changed it too.
How the Battlefield Looked During the Battle
The area looks different today than it did during the battle. Back then, much of it was covered in tall sawgrass. This grass could grow as high as 6 feet (1.8 meters)! A key part of the battlefield is a low hill, called a hummock. The Seminole warriors used this hummock for protection during the fight.
North of this hummock, there was an open area of sawgrass. Beyond that was a wooded area. This is where Colonel Zachary Taylor and his soldiers set up camp before the battle began.
Protecting This Historic Site
The Okeechobee Battlefield was first named a National Historic Landmark in 1961. At that time, an area of 640 acres (259 hectares) was included. This was thought to be the general area where the battle happened.
Researching the Battlefield
In the 1980s, experts from the National Park Service did more detailed studies. They also did some archaeological digs. This helped them figure out exactly where the battle took place. Because of this research, the protected area was adjusted. It was made a bit smaller, to about 440 acres (178 hectares). Most of this new area was still part of the original designation.
In 1939, a special marker was placed near the site. This marker helps people remember the battle. Later, in 2006, the state of Florida bought a part of the battlefield. This helps to protect it even more.
Remembering the Battle Today
A group of volunteers helps to keep the history alive. They put on annual reenactments of the Battle of Lake Okeechobee. These events help raise money for the park. They also teach people about this important part of history.
