Near Christmas in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort Christmas

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 14, 2012

1. Fort Christmas Marker

Inscription. As white settlers moved into Florida in the 1820's and 1830's, there were growing demands that the Seminole Indians be removed to a reservation west of the Mississippi. Efforts to convince the Seminoles to move failed, and in 1835 the conflict known as the Second Seminole War began in earnest. Late in 1837, Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Jesup, overall commander in Florida, began intensive preparations to carry the fighting to south Florida, where he believed he would find a large force of hostile Indians. These preparations included opening a road on the west side of the St. Johns River and building along the road several posts to serve as depots for operations to the south. On December 25, 1837, troops under the command of Brig. Gen. Abraham Eustis established Fort Christmas on the north side of a creek a short distance from here. General Jesup himself led the column south from Fort Christmas early in January. By late January Jesup's troops were receiving their supplies by water from the St. Lucie River, and in March Fort Christmas was abandoned. While this simple wooden fortification was short-lived, it gave its name to the town of Christmas, a short distance south of here.

Erected 1976 by Orange County Historical Commission in cooperation with Department of State. (Marker Number F-252.)

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 28° 33.724′ N, 81° 1.307′ W. Marker is near Christmas, Florida, in Orange County. Marker can be reached from North Fort Christmas Road (State Road 420) 1.8 miles north of East Colonial Drive (State Road 50). The marker is located in the Fort Christmas Historical Park (1300 North Fort Christmas Road), adjacent to the parking area at the entrance to the Fort Christmas replica. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1300 North Fort Christmas Road, Christmas FL 32709, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Seminole Indian Wars in Florida (a few steps from this marker); Blockhouse (a few steps from this marker); Yates House (within shouting distance of this marker); Brown House (within shouting distance of this marker); Powder Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); Storehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Christmas Picnic Pavilion (within shouting distance of this marker); Dugout Canoe (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Christmas.

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

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 14, 2012

2. Wide view of the Fort Christmas Marker

Located in Fort Christmas Historical Park, the marker stands in front of a modern replica of Fort Christmas.

Regarding Fort Christmas. For the U.S. Bicentennial, Orange County Parks and Recreation Department and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers constructed the replica at the then-Picnic Grounds. It was completed in December 1977, 140 years after the original Fort Christmas was completed on a site approximately one mile north.

Also see . . . The History of Fort Christmas - Florida. The fort was to be used as a supply depot for the soldiers that went looking for the Seminoles. So if they got in a battle they would not have far to go for supplies. But the Seminoles had all left the area and after leaving 80 soldiers at the fort the rest moved further south. It became necessary for supply ships to reroute through Jupiter Inlet as the army went on southward. For this reason Fort Christmas was abandoned in March 1838. (Submitted on April 1, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

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

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 14, 2012

3. Fort Christmas Replica (1977)

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

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 14, 2012

4. Interior of Fort Christmas Replica (1977)

The gate of the Fort Christmas Replica (1977) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 14, 2012

5. The gate of the Fort Christmas Replica (1977)

Display of 19th Century Garb image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 14, 2012

6. Display of 19th Century Garb

On display inside a Fort Christmas blockhouse, examples of U.S. uniforms and Seminole wardrobe.

Photographed By Diane Murphy, February 2024

7. Fort Christmas Marker

Photographed By Diane Murphy, February 2024

8. Fort Christmas Marker

Photographed By Diane Murphy, February 2024

9. Fort Christmas Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,100 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on April 2, 2012, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 1, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 7, 8, 9. submitted on February 10, 2024, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.