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

Fort Mason

Photographed by Ray King, June 9, 2012

1. Fort Mason Marker

Inscription. 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.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1836.

Location.

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28° 55.013′ N, 81° 40.443′ W. Marker is in Umatilla, Florida, in Lake County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando

and 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 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Turpentine Story (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Turpentine Process (approx. 3.1 miles away); Robert M. McTureous, Jr. (approx. 3½ miles away); The Clifford House (approx. 4.1 miles away); Captain David M. Walker (approx. 4.1 miles away); a different marker also named Clifford House (approx. 4.1 miles away); On The Waterfront (approx. 4.1 miles away); Entrance Names (approx. 4.2 miles away).

Fort Mason Marker reverse side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray King, June 9, 2012

2. Fort Mason Marker reverse side

Fort Mason Marker and Lake Tutuola image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray King, June 9, 2012

3. Fort Mason Marker and Lake Tutuola

Fort Mason Marker, looking north on SR 19 (S. Central Ave) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray King, June 9, 2012

4. Fort Mason Marker, looking north on SR 19 (S. Central Ave)

Fort Mason Marker, looking south on SR 19 (S. Central Ave). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray King, June 9, 2012

5. Fort Mason Marker, looking south on SR 19 (S. Central Ave).

Photographed by Bruce InCharlotte, December 16, 2025

6. Fort Mason Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2012, by Ray King of Jacksonville, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,303 times since then and 222 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 10, 2012, by Ray King of Jacksonville, Florida. 6. submitted on December 28, 2025, by Bruce InCharlotte of Charlotte, North Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.