Lake Wales in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort Gardiner

Photographed by Diane Murphy, June 25, 2025

1. Fort Gardiner Marker

Inscription. South of this site, on the banks of the Kissimmee River, stood Fort Gardiner. This Second Seminole army post was named for Captain George Washington Gardiner who died in the Dade Massacre in 1835. Established December 2, 1837 by Colonel Zachary Taylor on his march to the Battle of Okeechobee. Designated as the Headquarters, First Brigade, Army South of the Withlacoochee, it was used as a supply depot and in 1838 by the Fourth and Sixth Infantry Regiments. Following the Battle of Okeechobee, the wounded were brought to this depot and sent forward to Tampa on January 1, 1838. The original marker designating this site was dedicated in 1968, and replaced in 2020 due to damage.

Erected 1968 by The Polk County Historical Commission, Polk County Board of County commissioners. (Marker Number PCHC- 009.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is December 2, 1837.

Location. 27° 58.666′ N, 81° 22.576′ W. Marker is in Lake Wales, Florida, in Polk County. It can be reached from Camp Mack Road 0.7 miles east of Camp Lester Road, on the

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right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14900 Camp Mack Rd, Lake Wales FL 33898, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Florida.

It is also 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 4 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sumica (approx. 8.4 miles away); The Mountain Lake Sanctuary (approx. 12.6 miles away); Church of the Holy Spirit (approx. 12.9 miles away); Shady Oaks Fish Camp (approx. 14.3 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Fort Gardiner (was approx. 3.7 miles away but has been permanently removed); Old Indian Trails (was approx. 12½ miles away but has been permanently removed).