Near Bowling Green in Hardee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort Chokonikla

Photographed by Patricia Strat, December 11, 2012

1. Fort Chokonikla Marker

Inscription. This leisurely 10 minute, 1/4 mile long trail will lead you to the site of Fort Chokonikla built in late 1849. It consisted of three square blockhouses for defense, and canvas tents for sleeping. No battles were fought here and it was abandoned about one year later due to sickness.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 27° 37.368′ N, 81° 48.558′ W. Memorial is near Bowling Green, Florida, in Hardee County. It can be reached from Lake Branch Road. Marker is in Paynes Creek Historic State Park, behind the Visitor Center. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 888 Lake Branch Rd, Bowling Green FL 33834, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial 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 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wauchula City Hall (approx. 5.2 miles away); Wauchula Train Depot (approx. 5.2 miles away); Stansfield Building (approx. 5.2 miles away); Wauchula State Bank (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Beeson House (approx. 5.3 miles away); Hardee County Courthouse (approx. 5.3 miles away); Operation Desert Shield/Storm (approx. 5.3 miles away); Site of Fort Hartsuff (approx. 6.6 miles away).

Regarding Fort Chokonikla. During the 1840s, tensions

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between the settlers and Seminole Indians prompted authorities to establish a trading post in Florida´s interior, away from settlements. Built in early 1849, the post was attacked and destroyed by renegade Indians that summer. In late 1849 Fort Chokonikla was built nearby as the first outpost in a chain of forts established to control the Seminoles. The Seminoles never attacked the fort, but the Army was nearly defeated by mosquitoes.

Site of Fort Chokonikla image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patricia Strat, December 11, 2012

2. Site of Fort Chokonikla

Fort Chokonikla was built on high ground close to a water supply.

Fort Chokonikla had three square blockhouses. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patricia Strat, December 11, 2012

3. Fort Chokonikla had three square blockhouses.

Blockhouse
The blockhouse was part of most frontier forts. The overhanging upperstory had gunports in the floor. This prevented an enemy from rushing the building and sheltering against the walls.

Paynes Creek Historic State Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patricia Strat, December 11, 2012

4. Paynes Creek Historic State Park

888 Lake Branch Road, Bowling Green, Florida

Paynes Creek Historic State Park Visitor Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patricia Strat, December 11, 2012

5. Paynes Creek Historic State Park Visitor Center

Displays depict the lives of Florida´s Seminole Indians and pioneers during the 19th century.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2012, by Patricia Strat of Oakton, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,189 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 21, 2012, by Patricia Strat of Oakton, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.