Umatilla in Lake County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fort Mason
Photographed By Ray King, June 9, 2012
1. Fort Mason Marker
Inscription.
Fort Mason. . During the Second Seminole War (1835-1842), troops under the command of Brig. Gen. Abraham Eustis left Volusia County headed toward the Withlacoochee River as part of a military action in response to the December 28, 1835 massacre of Major Francis L. Dade and his command near Bushnell. In March 1836 the troops camped nearby while a bridge was constructed over the Ocklawaha to the west. They built a fortified stockade about one mile south of this location, on the east side of Smith Lake. It was named Fort Mason, most likely to honor Lt. Col. Pierce Mason Butler who led the expedition and after whom Fort Butler, near Astor, was also named. After hostilities ended, Fort Mason became a supply base to support and encourage settlement in the area, which would later become Lake County. With the coming of the railroad in the 1880s, a town on the north shore of Lake Eustis took its name from Fort Mason., A Florida Heritage Site Sponsored by the Lake County Historical Society and the Florida Department of State.
During the Second Seminole War (1835-1842), troops under the command of Brig. Gen. Abraham Eustis left Volusia County headed toward the Withlacoochee River as part of a military action in response to the December 28, 1835 massacre of Major Francis L. Dade and his command near Bushnell. In March 1836 the troops camped nearby while a bridge was constructed over the Ocklawaha to the west. They built a fortified stockade about one mile south of this location, on the east side of Smith Lake. It was named Fort Mason, most likely to honor Lt. Col. Pierce Mason Butler who led the expedition and after whom Fort Butler, near Astor, was also named. After hostilities ended, Fort Mason became a supply base to support and encourage settlement in the area, which would later become Lake County. With the coming of the railroad in the 1880s, a town on the north shore of Lake Eustis took its name from Fort Mason.
A Florida Heritage Site
Sponsored by the Lake County Historical Society and the Florida Department of State.
Erected 2007 by Lake County Historical Society. (Marker Number F-598.)
28° 55.013′ N, 81° 40.443′ W. Marker is in Umatilla, Florida, in Lake County. Marker is at the intersection of South Central Avenue (State Road 19) and Golden Gem Drive, on the right when traveling north on South Central Avenue. The marker is between State Road 19 and Lake Tutuola. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Umatilla FL 32784, United States of America. Touch for directions.
4. Fort Mason Marker, looking north on SR 19 (S. Central Ave)
Photographed By Ray King, June 9, 2012
5. Fort Mason Marker, looking south on SR 19 (S. Central Ave).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2012, by Ray King of Jacksonville, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,352 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 10, 2012, by Ray King of Jacksonville, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
