Fort Dade, 1836-1849, Seminole War Fort

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Fort Dade
There are three Fort Dade’s in Florida. Two Seminole War forts which I am about to talk about, and another Fort Dade on Egmont Key in Tampa Bay; part of the Endicott system of coastal defense from the 1890s until WW1. The earlier two Seminole War forts are not on public land and cannot be visited.
The first Fort Dade was built on the south side of the Withlacoochee River, off the Fort King road. Near where highway 301 crosses the river, at the Pasco County line. There used to be a historical marker, but it is currently gone.
Of course, the fort is named after Major Dade, who was killed almost a year to the day of the fort construction.
Fort Dade hosted the Seminole Capitulation of March 1837, where General Jesup met with Alligator, Jumper, with Osceola, and negotiated an immediate cease fire and end of the war, where the Indians would emigrate to the west. This was the largest negotiation between the Natives and the U.S. during the war; even larger than Macomb’s talk in 1839.
1st Lt. Thomas B. Adams died at Fort Dade, and was the grandson of President John Adams, and nephew of John Quincy Adams.
The fort is reactivated during the Panic of 1849. This is really a different fort altogether, as it is 8 miles south of the previous Fort Dade.
The site of Fort Dade was heavily metal detected in the past by reenactors, who also displayed what they found at various reenactments and events.
The property was purchased by Frank Laumer and is now owned by the Seminole War foundation. This is private property and not public property, and there is no public access. Do not trespass! Recently the sheriff had to evict a couple squatters.

[@hammockstocoasters]

Nice to have a history lesson over coffee this morning 😃