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

Fort Butler

Photographed By Ray King, June 9, 2012

1. Fort Butler Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Located on the west bank of the St. Johns, Ft. Butler was built in 1838 during the Seminole Wars. It consisted of a crude log stockade and barracks for the garrison. The Fort was one of the military installations designed to protect the St. Johns River, which served as an important artery of communication with the garrisons in central Florida. On the opposite bank, near the frontier settlement of Volusia, stood Ft. Call.

Erected 1963 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. (Marker Number F-93.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, US Indian • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 29° 9.855′ N, 81° 31.628′ W. Marker is in Astor, Florida, in Lake County. Marker is on State Road 40, 0.3 miles west of the Astor Bridge, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the side of Florida State Road 40 in Astor, a Census Designated Place in Lake County. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Astor FL 32102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker

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, measured as the crow flies. Astor: "The Jewel of the St. Johns River" (approx. ¼ mile away); Volusia (approx. half a mile away); William Bartram Trail (approx. half a mile away); Quarter's House (approx. 6.4 miles away); Convict Cage Wagon (approx. 6.4 miles away); Lewis Log Cabin (approx. 6.4 miles away); Midway Methodist Church (approx. 6.4 miles away); Huntington Post Office (approx. 6.4 miles away).

More about this marker. The marker is located to the west of Ft. Butler's actual location along the west bank of the St. Johns River.

Regarding Fort Butler. The actual site of Ft. Butler is approximate to where the Butler Street Boat Ramp is today located. This is south of State Road 40, where Front Street turns into Butler Street.

Additional keywords. Ocala National Forest

Fort Butler Marker along State Road 40 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By AGS Media, May 27, 2010

2. Fort Butler Marker along State Road 40

Marker is located within the Ocala National Forest. Around the bend beyond the marker, State Road 40 crosses the Astor Bridge from Lake County into Volusia County.

Butler Street Boat Ramp image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Glenn Sheffield, May 27, 2010

3. Butler Street Boat Ramp

Set on the west bank of the St. Johns River, where Fort Butler was once located.

Butler Street Boat Ramp Parking image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Glenn Sheffield, May 27, 2010

4. Butler Street Boat Ramp Parking

Public parking lot for the Butler Street Boat Ramp, on the site where once stood Fort Butler.

St. Johns River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By AGS Media, December 28, 2009

5. St. Johns River

Viewed from the west bank at the Butler Street Boat Ramp. Across the river is Volusia County and the Lake George State Forest.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,312 times since then and 345 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 10, 2012, by Ray King of Jacksonville, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 31, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.