St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Site of Theatrical Troupe Massacre by the Seminoles

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 5, 2025

1. Site of Theatrical Troupe Massacre by the Seminoles Marker

Inscription.
On Saturday, May 23, 1840, a theatrical troupe and other travellers en route to St. Augustine, were ambushed on the Picolata Road by Coacoochee (Wild Cat) and his band of marauding Seminoles. One of the performers and four others were killed.

While search parties tracked the elusive Indians in vain, the undaunted actors fulfilled a two weeks engagement in St. Augustine. Months later the Indians appeared wearing Shakespearean costumes from the plundered baggage wagon.

Erected 1967 by St. Johns County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is May 23, 1840.

Location. 29° 55.287′ N, 81° 26.021′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is on County Route 208 just east of Pellicer Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Augustine FL 32092, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

It is also in

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the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ford Motor Company (approx. 1.2 miles away); Our Native Son Lieutenant General Ronald L. Bailey (approx. 5.3 miles away); Florida Memorial University (approx. 5.3 miles away); Formative Years (approx. 5.3 miles away); Merger-Expansion Years (approx. 5.3 miles away); Old Tom Morris (approx. 5.3 miles away); Civil Rights Movement (approx. 5.3 miles away); College Years (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Also see . . . When the Seminoles Met Shakespeare. (Submitted on June 6, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 5, 2025

2. Site of Theatrical Troupe Massacre by the Seminoles Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 5, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.