Orlando in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Site of Fort Gatlin
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, April 20, 2023
1. Site of Fort Gatlin Marker
On November 9, 1838, during the Second Seminole Indian War (1835-42), the U.S. Army established Fort Gatlin in Mosquito County. This fort was named for Army Assistant Surgeon John S. Gatlin (1806-1835), who was killed in the Dade Massacre in 1835. The site of the fort was chosen as a military outpost due to its strategic position overlooking three lakes and because the area was frequented by Native Americans led by Seminole Chief King Philip and his son Coacoochee. The fort served the state militia during the war until the Army withdrew in 1849. A few soldiers and families remained in the area, growing citrus and raising cattle. In 1856, Fort Gatlin became the county seat of Orange County, created from Mosquito County in 1845. The community's name was later changed to Orlando, a name attributed to militiaman Orlando Reeves, who was reportedly killed in a skirmish during the Second Seminole War. It is believed that Reeves is buried near the site of Fort Gatlin. In 1941, during World War II, the United States Navy established the Underwater Sound Reference Laboratory near this site on Lake Gem Mary because of the great depth of the lake. The lab was closed in 1997.
Erected 2003 by A Florida Heritage Site Sponsored by the Fort Gatlin Historical Group, Orange County Public Schools, Orange County
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1927.
Location. 28° 29.669′ N, 81° 22.046′ W. Marker is in Orlando, Florida, in Orange County. Marker is at the intersection of Gatlin Avenue and South Summerlin Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Gatlin Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3909 South Summerlin Avenue, Orlando FL 32806, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort Gatlin's Early Settlers • Native American History (here, next to this marker); Fort Gatlin 1838 (a few steps from this marker); The Council Oak (approx. half a mile away); Site and Home of Francis Eppes (approx. 0.9 miles away); Welcome to the Pulse Interim Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Conway First Baptist Church/Fort Gatlin (approx. 2.2 miles away); Conway United Methodist Church/Brick Road (approx. 2.3 miles away); St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church/Datson Dairy (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orlando.
Also see . . .
1. Site's Key To Orlando History: Fort Gatlin. Orlando Sentinel website entry:
The lakefront site of a former Navy sonar lab now owned by the Orange County
Photographed By Julie Szabo, April 3, 2008
2. Site of Fort Gatlin Marker
2. Second Seminole War. Wikipedia entry:
This war became one of America's longest, and one of the most expensive prior to the Civil War. (Submitted on April 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Julie Szabo, April 3, 2008
3. Site of Fort Gatlin Marker
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 14, 2012
4. Wide view of the Site of Fort Gatlin Marker
While the specific location of Fort Gatlin has yet to be identified with modern technology, the tradition holds that the fort was located at this intersection and adjacent properties on the shores of Lake Gem Mary, Lake Jennie Jewel and Lake Gatlin.
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, March 14, 2012
5. Fort Christmas Replica
Based on historical documentation, it is believed that Fort Gatlin was very similar in design and layout to nearby Fort Christmas, which has been recreated at the Fort Christmas Historical Park (Christmas, Florida)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 10,217 times since then and 348 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 21, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2, 3. submitted on April 5, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. 4. submitted on March 29, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 5. submitted on April 1, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
