HISTORY IN THE MAKING

The Fort King Heritage Association is bringing Ocala’s storied history to the forefront with the construction of the Fort King National Historic Landmark site.

// BY RONALD W. WETHERINGTON

Photos courtesy of the Fort King Heritage Association and Ronald W. Wetherington

One hundred and ninety-three years ago, Seminole Indian war drums sounded and United States Army soldiers fought for their lives and for the opening of a new territory. The year was 1827, and the rst of two forts was built in what would one day become Marion County. Named Fort King to pay tribute to Colonel

King, Commander of the Fourth Infantry, many important army leaders served at the fort, including General Scott, General Gaines and General

Thomas Jessup.

Does the name Osceola, ring a bell? Osceola, a Seminole war leader and his followers ambushed and killed Wiley Thompson, an

Indian agent, along with Lt. Constantine Smith while they walked out of the Fort. Also killed was Erassus Rogers who owned the settlers store, along with a 12-year-old boy who worked at the store. The same day a contingent of 108 soldiers were in route from Fort Brooke in

Tampa to reinforce Fort King. All but two were killed in the ambush lead by Chief Micanopy. This historical event came to be known as the

Dade Massacre.

In an e ort to learn more about and honor Fort King’s history, the city and county created the Fort King Heritage Association, Inc. in 2011. A tax-exempt organization comprised of volunteers to raise funds, develop plans and rebuild the Fort King complex, the association will oversee the project to its conclusion.

The ultimate goal is to rebuild the fort complex as it stood in 1837, which is the year the second fort was constructed, as the initial fort had been destroyed by re. The four walls and two block houses have been

Ocala City Council, for the build out of the Fort King complex. The capital campaign calls to raise $15 million over 15 years.

The rebuild of Fort King will provide many benefits to the community, including educational opportunities, recreation and important economic impacts. Prior to COVID-19, the fort hosted 10,000 visitors per year through reenactments, special events and field trips. board member for the Fort King Heritage Association. “I always was curious about it and the Indian Wars my Dad told me about. Later in elementary school, we learned the history of Fort King and about how Chief Osceola shot Wiley Thompson, thus starting the Seminole Indian War. However, I was never able to fully envision what Fort King was all about. Now, thanks to the e orts of many in our community, Fort King is a living monument and children can learn rst-hand about our history.”

Over the past 33 years, 42 acres have been acquired, 75,000 artifacts have been recovered and, in 2004, the site was declared a national the Seminole War history.” “Our family has been a part of Ocala and Marion County for over 60 years,” says Bernadette Castro, board member for the Fort King Heritage Association, “and it was only this year that I discovered the fascinating Fort King National Historic Landmark. This unique park tells the dramatic story of the Second Seminole War and Chief Osceola. The reconstruction of the actual fort should be seen by everyone, young and old alike. I urge every resident of Ocala/ Marion County to take advantage of the history lesson that Fort King teaches. It is a hidden gem

“WITH THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FORT KING NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, VISITORS AND LOCALS WILL constructed exactly EXPERIENCE THE WORLD’S as they were in 1837. The association MOST HISTORICALLY has completed the ACCURATE DEPICTION OF THE master plan, which has been approved SEMINOLE WAR HISTORY.” by the county -LARRY CRETUL, FORMER SPEAKER OF THE commission and the FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

that tells an authentic story and is a must see.”

There is no doubting the historical landmark by Congress. signi cance Fort King has to Ocala and Larry Cretul, former Speaker of the Florida its residents. House of Representatives, believes, “With the

“As a small boy growing up in Ocala, we reconstruction of the Fort King National Historic passed the military cemetery on Fort King Landmark, visitors and locals will experience the Street many times,” recalls Terry Crawford, world’s most historically accurate depiction of

“Being a part of Fort King Heritage is an honor,” says Charlie Stone, a Fort King Heritage Association director. “The Fort King historical site is such an important asset to the state of Florida, Marion County and the city of Ocala. In the future, this site will serve as a showcase for how the earliest settlers and the U.S. Army lived and survived. It is my hope that future generations will come here to explore and learn the history and signi cance of the beginning of the Second Seminole Indian War. What an amazing history we have!”

Fort King National Historic Landmark

// 3925 E Fort King Street, Ocala // For more information, to make a donation or to volunteer, visit ftking.org or call (352) 368-5535.