While driving through Orlando I spotted this historical marker on the side of the road. The marker…read moreis part of the Florida Historical Marker Program, one of the Division of Historical Resources' most popular and valued public history programs. It raises awareness of Florida's cultural history while enhancing the enjoyment of historic sites for residents and tourists. The blue historic markers tell the stories of the people and places that were important to Florida's history and they can be found in front of churches, schools, roads, archaeological sites, battlefields, cemeteries, historic buildings, and where forts once existed like this one. Historic marker F-483 was installed at the intersection of Gatlin Avenue and South Summerlin Avenue in 2003 by the Fort Gatlin Historical Group, Orange County Public Schools, Orange County Government and The Florida Department of State. This is a Florida Heritage Site.
The marker provides information about Fort Gatlin which was the site of a fort during the Second Seminole War (1835-1842). When the government enacted the Indian Removal Act in 1830, the army was sent to drive all of the Native Americans out west on the Trail of Tears. The Seminoles resisted and the Second Seminole War broke out. Forts like this one were set up all across Florida to aid the US Army in their mission. The Seminole were the only tribe to never sign a peace treaty with the US Government.
Fort Gatlin was established by the U.S. Army in November 1838 in what is now known as Orange County but at the time it vhad the less appealing name of Mosquito County. The fort was built by Lieutenant Colonel Alexander C.W. Fanning and four companies of the 4th U.S. Artillery. It was one of a string of forts built across Central Florida. Fort Gatlin was named in honor of Army Assistant Surgeon John S. Gatlin, who was killed in the Dade Massacre in 1835. The site for the fort was chosen because of its strategic location on a hill overlooking three lakes. This area was frequented by a tribe of Seminoles led by Chief King Philip and his son Coacoochee. Fort Gatlin was a simple stockade made with long posts anchored into ground with cross bars and heavy gates. The courtyard held a storehouse, mobile cannons, and a powder magazine.
Fanning completed the fort and left. After that it was occupied by a company of troops under the command of 1st Lieutenant F.E. Hunt. The fort was reportedly attacked several times by the Seminole, who were attempting to regain their position. The fort was deactivated on July 1839 but was re-garrisoned briefly in October 1849 during an uprising of Seminole in Southern Florida.
After the forts in Florida were abandoned, many gave rise to towns. Once Fort Gatlin closed a few soldiers and families remained in the area, growing citrus and raising cattle, and the town of Fort Gatlin was formed. In 1856, the town became the county seat of Orange County, which was created from Mosquito County in 1845. The community s name was later changed to Orlando in honor of militiaman Orlando Reeves, who was killed in battle during the Second Seminole War. Reeves is believed to buried somewhere in the site of the former 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 which was very deep. The lab closed in 1997.
The Fort Gatlin Historical Group was founded by area residents to locate and preserve the heritage and historical features of Fort Gatlin. Some of the items found over the years include Seminole war era bottles, buttons, musket balls, and cannon balls. Until the 1920's, remnants of Fort Gatlin were visible to area residents.
One other thing to note is that in addition to the historic marker there is also a large wooden sign with even more information about the Native American history in the area, more in depth information on Fort Gatlin and the Second Seminole War, Fort Gatlin's early settlers, the Naval Research Lab, and Fort Gatlin archaeology. There were also smaller signs providing information about the different plants in the area. Although the fort no longer exists, there is so much great information in this area that it is well worth a stop for anyone who would like to learn more about Orlando's earliest days. If you would like to see what a Seminole War era fort would have actually looked like, there is a great example of a replica of one from 1837 that you can visit at Fort Christmas Historical Park, in Christmas Florida.
