Near Frostproof in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Site of Fort Clinch

Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, June 1, 2016

1. Site of Fort Clinch Marker

Inscription. One of a chain of Seminole Indian War forts 1849-1858. Several men served at this post who later gained prominence in the Civil War. Among these were Generals George G. Meade, A.P. Hill, and "Stonewall" Jackson. Garrisoned by 1st. Art., 7th Inf. U.S. Army and Florida Mounted Volunteers.

Erected by Polk County Historical Commission.

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

Location. 27° 45.341′ N, 81° 33.097′ W. Marker is near Frostproof, Florida, in Polk County. Marker is at the intersection of County Road 630 and Davis Road, on the right when traveling east on County Road 630. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 930 Co Rd 630, Frostproof FL 33843, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Indian Burial Mound (approx. 1.6 miles away); Church of the Holy Spirit (approx. 9.6 miles away); Lake Wales Depot (approx. 10.1 miles away); Cannon from the USS Constitution (approx. 10.1 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.1 miles away); First Baptist Church

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(approx. 10.2 miles away); Surveyor's Lake Schoolhouse (approx. 10.7 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.8 miles away).

More about this marker. The marker is mounted parallel with the road and can be difficult to spot. The reverse of the marker is blank, which is unusual for a free standing marker.

Regarding Site of Fort Clinch. General Duncan Lamont Clinch (1787-1849 ) served in the 1st and 2nd Seminole Indian Wars and was very popular with his men. Thus three period Florida forts were named for him. In addition to this fort in Polk County (Est. 1850), there was Ft. Clinch at the mouth of the Withlacoochee River (Est.1836) in what is now Levy County and the most famous Ft. Clinch (Est. 1847) still stands in Nassau County.

Polk County's Ft. Clinch was established January 13, 1850 on the shore of what was then Lake Mocha Popka. This fort was a stockade which consisted of six or seven buildings. The fort was abandoned by the military June 8, 1850.

Sources: Gray, James M. Florida Forts. Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library. 1972. Call#FLA623G779.
Mahon, John K. History of the Second Seminole War. University of Florida Press, Gainesville,

Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, June 9, 2016

2. Site of Fort Clinch Marker

1874 map of Polk County illustrating Ft. Clinch and three other period Polk County forts. Ft. Arbuckle, Ft, Gardiner and Ft. Meade. Credit: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division. Click map to enlarge.

Fl. 1967.
Roberts, Robert B. Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States. Macmillan Publishing Co. NY. 1988.

Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, June 1, 2016

3. Site of Fort Clinch Marker

Blank reverse of Ft. Clinch Marker.

Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, June 1, 2016

4. Site of Fort Clinch Marker

Looking west down SR630. Lake Clinch is seen in the background.

Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, June 1, 2016

5. Site of Fort Clinch Marker

Looking south at Ft. Clinch marker and Lake Clinch.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2016, by Dean Moss McCracken of Lakeland, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,772 times since then and 152 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 9, 2016, by Dean Moss McCracken of Lakeland, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.