Near Inverness in Citrus County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fort Cooper
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, March 22, 2016
1. Fort Cooper Marker
Fort Cooper was constructed in April 1836 during the Second Seminole War. General Winfield Scott instructed the First Georgia Battalion of Volunteers under the leadership of Major Mark Anthony Cooper to build two bastions and a blockhouse on the western shore of Lake Holathlikaha at the time of the Battle of Withlacoochee. On April 5, a skirmish broke out between the Seminole warriors and Cooper's men which led to the death of Private Zadock Cook of the Morgan Guards. From 1836 to 1842, the United States Army used the fort as a horse depot, a scouting post and a watering hole, after which time it was abandoned. In December of 1970, landowner John H. Eden Jr., sold land to the state and began working with archaeologists to excavate the Fort Cooper site. Fort Cooper was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 12, 1972. In 1977, the site opened to the public as a 704-acre state park.Erected 2016 by Fort Cooper Chapter, NSDAR.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, US Indian
this page online
Location. 28° 49.015′ N, 82° 18.212′ W. Marker is near Inverness, Florida, in Citrus County. Marker is on South Old Floral City Road, 0.2 miles south of Carnegie Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker located at the entrance to Fort Cooper State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3100 S Old Floral City Rd, Inverness FL 34450, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Seminole in the Cove of the Withlacoochee (approx. 0.6 miles away); Florida's First People (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Cooper (approx. 0.6 miles away); Life Along the Withlacoochee (approx. 0.7 miles away); Old Military Road (approx. 0.8 miles away); War Comes to the Cove (approx. 0.8 miles away); Lonely Outpost in a Hostile Land (approx. 0.9 miles away); A Costly Florida War (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Inverness.
Also see . . . Fort Cooper State Park. Florida Division of Recreation and Parks (Submitted on March 25, 2016.)
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, March 22, 2016
2. Fort Cooper Marker at entrance to park.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 488 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 24, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
