Ocala in Marion County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The First Seminole War

Fort King National Historic Landmark

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 4, 2022

1. The First Seminole War Marker

Inscription. Several years after the conclusion of the War of 1812, the U.S. military began excursions into the Spanish owned territory of Florida. General Andrew Jackson ordered his military to invade and destroy the “Negro Fort” on the Apalachicola River in 1816, because it was populated by the Seminole and runaway slaves who he believed needed to be dealt with to make way for American settlers. This was a catalyst of the Seminole War. In 1818, Jackson and his military invaded Florida and constructed Fort Gadsden atop the ruins of the “Negro Fort” that was destroyed two years earlier. From Fort Gadsden, Jackson launched the First Seminole War. The Spanish were ill equipped to defend their territory of Florida as Jackson easily took two Spanish fortifications in Pensacola and St. Marks. No longer able to protect their land, the Spanish agreed to surrender the region to the United States in the Adamas-Onis Treaty of 1819. This seemed to reconcile the matter of Americans’ right to settle the land.
First Seminole War 1816-1819

Erected by Florida Department of State/Division of Historical Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

• Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.

Location. 29° 11.232′ N, 82° 4.957′ W. Marker is in Ocala, Florida, in Marion County. It can be reached from the intersection of East Fort King Street and SE 39th Terrace, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located on the grounds of the Fort King National Historic Landmark. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3925 E Fort King St, Ocala FL 34470, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Second Seminole War / The Third Seminole War (here, next to this marker); The Seminole War (here, next to this marker); A Tale of Two Forts (a few steps from this marker); The Second Fort (a few steps from this marker); Fort King (a few steps from this marker); Fort King Road (within shouting distance of this marker); The U.S. Army on the frontier (within shouting distance of this marker); It was a Hard Life at Fort King (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ocala.

Also see . . .
1. The First Seminole War. (Submitted on July 6, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Fort King National Historic Landmark. (Submitted on July 6, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 4, 2022

2. The First Seminole War Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 623 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 6, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.