Near Fort Basinger in Highlands County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort Basinger

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 15, 2012

1. Fort Basinger Marker

Inscription. Col. Zachary Taylor had Fort Basinger built in 1837, during the Seminole Wars, on the Kissimmee River 17 miles above its mouth. It was a small stockade which served as a temporary fort and supply station on the line of forts extending from Tampa to Lake Okeechobee. Named for Lt. William E. Basinger of the 2nd Artillery, who was killed in Dade's Massacre, the fort was abandoned at the end of the Indian wars.

Erected 1961 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. (Marker Number F-54.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #12 Zachary Taylor series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 27° 21.788′ N, 81° 3.174′ W. Marker is near Fort Basinger, Florida, in Highlands County. Marker is on U.S. 98, 0.1 miles north of County Road 721, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lorida FL 33857, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Historic Basinger Cemetery (approx. 2.9 miles away); The Lorida School House (approx. 13.2 miles

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away); Tantie School House #14 (approx. 13.8 miles away).

Wide view of the Fort Basinger Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 15, 2012

2. Wide view of the Fort Basinger Marker

General location of Fort Basinger image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 15, 2012

3. General location of Fort Basinger

Located on the western shore of the Kissimmee River, the site of the wooden stockade is now occupied by the Edna Pearce Lockett Homestead.

Fort Christmas Replica (1977) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 14, 2012

4. Fort Christmas Replica (1977)

Based on historical documentation, it is believed that Fort Basinger was very similar in design and layout to Fort Christmas, which has been recreated at the Fort Christmas Historical Park (Christmas, Florida)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,046 times since then and 86 times this year. Last updated on April 2, 2012, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 31, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 4. submitted on April 1, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.