The Path of Resistance: Explore Six Remarkable Seminole War Sites

As fireworks light up the sky this Fourth of July, it’s the perfect time to reflect on all the stories that make up America’s past. For the Seminoles of Florida, independence wasn’t declared with a document, but earned through generations of resistance, resilience, and survival. Today, the Seminole Tribe of Florida is recognized as a sovereign nation. But, this was something that only became a legal reality after generations of Seminole leaders fighting for it.

This long weekend, we encourage you to take a different kind of patriotic journey by visiting historic Seminole War sites across Florida! These places tell the powerful story of a people who never surrendered, never signed a peace treaty, and who remain an enduring symbol of Native sovereignty and strength. This week, join us to explore six sites from the Seminole Wars. They have made an incredible impact on history, for both Seminoles and non-Seminoles alike.

In our featured image, you can see the modern panting “Three Seminole Scouts” by Noah Billie. It shows three scouts walking through grey cypress trees and a patch of sawgrass while carrying rifles. The scouts are each wearing a turban with a feather and clothing in one color (1991.3.1, ATTK Museum).

 

Dade Battlefield Historic State Park

The Dade Massacre was a part of a coordinated attack from Seminoles on U.S. forces following increasingly hostile negotiations. Often marked as the battle that sparked the Second Seminole War, the Massacre was actually just one part of a series of battles and raids coordinated by Seminole leaders intended to disrupt supplies and reinforcements to U.S. troops.

On December 23, 1835, Major Francis Langhorne Dade led two companies of soldiers from Fort Brooke on a resupply mission to Fort King. Although he anticipated a Seminole ambush, Dade misjudged where it would occur. He believed the threat lay in the open river crossings to the south. Once past them, he grew overconfident and let down his guard.

What he didn’t foresee was an attack in the pine flatwoods, already five days into marching and so close to their destination. Seminole scouts had tracked the troops from the start. The warriors initially planned to wait for Osceola before striking, but debate among the leaders led them to act. What followed was an incredibly bloody battle, where 180 Seminole warriors would decimate the U.S. forces. Out of around 100 U.S. soldiers, only three would survive. Dade himself, on horseback, was brought down by the very first shot, by Chief Micanopy himself in a pre-planned start to the battle.

Today, the Dade Battlefield Historic State Park is located just outside Bushnell, FL. Established in 1921, it was intended to preserve the battlefield and offer educational resources. Each January the Dade Battlefield Society hosts a battle reenactment, which attracts as many as 2,000 visitors.

Above, you can see a postcard depicting the “The Dade Massacre” by Ken Hughs. The 1974 postcard is based on an original oil by Ken Hughs, held by the Historical Association of Southern Florida (2014.6.2, ATTK Museum).

 

Fort King National Historic Landmark

Located in now-Ocala, FL, Fort King was established in 1827, following rising tensions between Seminoles and western settlers. Much like Fort Brooke, it was intended to suppress action taken by Seminoles, curtail their resistance, and monitor Seminole movements at Silver Spring. It became a pivotal military installment during the 1830s, and was also the location of a series of negotiations between Seminoles and U.S. Army leaders leading up to and during the Second Seminole War. Fort King became a major player in Seminole removal.

In 1833, Indian Agent Wiley Thompson would arrive at Fort King, with the intention of pressuring the Seminoles towards removal. He held multiple meetings over the next few years, all met with fierce resistance from Seminole leaders such as Micanopy and Osceola.

Tensions escalated as Wiley pushed harder, taking away Seminole’s rights to purchase gunpowder and supplies. Osceola was arrested following a confrontation about the gunpowder, and only was released after agreeing to bring his people for removal. Instead, on December 28, 1835, Osceola and warriors under his direction would attack and kill Wiley Thompson outside the fort. This attack was pulled off in concert with the Dade Massacre, only about 25 miles away. It would be the spark that would soon ignite the Second Seminole War.

The site is now a 40-acre National Historic Landmark, operated by the city of Ocala and Marion County. It is what is considered a “living history site.” This means that there are often demonstrators on site, including a resident blacksmith. The Fort King Festival, held annually, features a number of live demonstrations, crafters, and kid’s activities. They also host a Seminole War reenactment, where partners such as the Seminole Tribe of Florida participate in reenacting the event that sparked the Second Seminole War.

 

Fort Brooke

Established in 1824, Fort Brooke was a major outpost during the Seminole war period, especially during the Second Seminole War. Located in what is now downtown Tampa, Fort Brooke was intended to enforce the Treaty of Moultrie Creek, which confined Seminoles to a reservation.  The treaty, which was never fulfilled, would have confined Seminoles to a reservation in Central Florida that was cut off from any allies. Although some bands would move to the reservation in the name of peace, many didn’t as they had not been present or agreed to the treaty.

The Treaty of Moultrie Creek is a good example of the incredible misunderstanding about Indigenous groups in Florida by the U.S. government at the time. The concept of “Seminoles” as a single entity was just not the reality; instead, communities were made up of a number of different bands of people, all with different leaders. Those who did sign the treaty were attempting to keep their lands, as diminished as they would have been. Unfortunately, the agreement backfired, and they were one of the first groups forced out after the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

During the Second Seminole War (1835-1842) Fort Brooke became a major military hub and headquarters. It also became a target for Seminole guerilla warfare attacks. Troops involved in the Dade Massacre would be attacked after departing Fort Brook and heading towards Fort King in 1835.

Today, visitors can visit the Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park in downtown Tampa. Located along Garrison Channel, the park includes a memorial to the Seminole Wars as well as a playground, pier, Heroes Plaza, and walking area. Also located just a stone’s throw away is the Tampa Bay History Center. On the second floor, visitors will find a variety of exhibits relating to Indigenous history in Florida.

 

Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park

While the Dade Massacre is often referred to as the first battle in the Second Seminole War, the skirmishes at the Loxahatchee River are the last. Two significant battles occurred at the site. The first, Powell’s Battle, took place on January 18, 1838. Lieutenant Levin M. Powell, of the United States Navy’s Waterborne Everglades Expeditionary Unit, entered the southwest fork of the Loxahatchee River in search of hidden Seminoles. They were “led” by a captured Seminole woman. Heading west, they soon spotted a Seminole encampment. The ensuing skirmish would end late into the evening, with the superiorly numbered Seminole force of swamp-knowledgeable warriors dominating as Powell’s forced fled with severe casualties.

Less than a week later on January 24, 1838 Major General Thomas Jesup, leading a contingent of 1,500 men, would march to the headwaters of the Loxahatchee River. He would meet nearly 300 Seminoles, who despite being grossly outnumbered, attempted to hold their own against the largest army of the Second Seminole War.

The Battle of Loxahatchee ended with Seminoles retreating to the Everglades with unknown casualties, after exchanging musket fire across the river. Seven soldiers were killed, with 31 injuries including General Jesup, who was shot in the face. Jesup would later petition Washington to let the Seminoles stay in their homeland, although the petition was denied. It was the last standing battle of this wartime period, although the tensions, hostilities, and betrayals continued.

Today, Loxahatchee River Battlefield State Park near Jupiter, FL encompasses the battle sites of both battles. It is also one of the most complex multi-level historic sites in Palm Beach County, with a history of Indigenous occupation that spans back over 5,000 years. At the moment, the Loxahatchee Battlefield Preservationists, a group established in 2007, is working to build a museum on the site. They also routinely host walking battlefield tours and “History in the Park” each October-May on the second Saturday of the month. Their annual Battle of Loxahatchee reenactment is also scheduled for next January 31, 2026.

Above, you can see an image of the Loxahatchee River looking west from Jupiter Tower, circa mid to late 1800s. It is from the Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views, and hosted through the New York Public Library Digital Collections.

 

Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park

Florida would erupt into war in 1835 following the Dade Massacre. Just two years later on December 25, 1837, another bloody battle would mark the history books: the Battle of Okeechobee. A group of only around 400 Seminole warriors would face nearly 800 U.S. Army soldiers commanded by Colonel Zachary Taylor. Outnumbered two to one, the Seminole resistors held their ground with remarkable resilience. They lost just 11 warriors and 14 wounded before making a successful escape. Under the leadership of Alligator, Billy Bowlegs, Abiaka (Sam Jones), and the recently escaped Coacoochee, the Seminoles mounted a fierce guerrilla defense against Colonel Zachary Taylor’s rigid military force.

Taylor opted for a direct frontal assault, a costly decision. By day’s end, the Seminoles had evaded capture and lived to continue their resistance against forced removal. Although Taylor would later claim victory, the truth was far more nuanced. At the 2015 Battle of Okeechobee reenactment, Gary A. Poe of the 8th Florida Company C summed it up best: “It was never a win or a loss. It was just a terrible battle.”

Today, visitors can stop by the Okeechobee Battlefield State Park, where they can walk trails and learn through interpretive exhibits and signage. Annually, the park also hosts a Battle of Okeechobee reenactment, usually in February, to commemorate the battle.

Above, you can see an oil painting titled “Battle of Okeechobee” by famed Florida painter Guy LaBree. LaBree was a longtime painter of Seminole legends, history, and culture. He dedicated his craft towards meticulously accurate representations of the Seminole experience. You can learn more about LaBree and his close ties with the Seminole Tribe of Florida in a previous blog post.

 

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Payne’s Prairie, much like some of the other battlefield sites discussed in this post, has a long history of Seminole and Seminole ancestor occupation. Here, King Payne would follow in his father Ahaya (Cowkeeper)’s footsteps, working cattle and expanding his holdings. He would also establish Payne’s Town on the southern end of the prairie in around the 1790s. For decades, Payne’s Town would be a prosperous and successful community.

But, by 1812, tensions and hostilities were rising, and U.S. military interests threatened the prosperity of Payne’s Town. King Payne, now in his 80s, wished to remain neutral but was outvoted by his council. They quickly became embroiled in conflict, as the U.S. sought to exploit the shrinking Spanish presence in the area. In September 1812, a contingent of Georgia militia men would battle with Payne’s soldiers, resulting in Payne’s death. The blow would end what became known as the Patriot War. It also began the Long War for the Seminoles of Florida. U.S. Soldiers would burn Payne’s Town down to the ground in 1813.

Today, Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park, located just outside Gainesville, encompasses a nearly 22,000-acre savanna in Alachua County. Although you can’t visit the site of Payne’s Town specifically, visitors can visit the park itself. The park features a number of walking and hiking trails, an observation tower, interpretive and educational resources, and also a visitor center. The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail also cuts through the park.

 

Today, we have compiled a list of six places that you can visit this holiday weekend to celebrate and reflect on Seminole and Indigenous independence. As always, Florida Seminole Tourism wishes you a safe, fun, and reflective Independence Day holiday!

 

Author Bio

Originally from Washington state, Deanna Butler received her BA in Archaeological Sciences from the University of Washington in 2014. Deanna moved to South Florida in 2016. Soon, she began working for the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office. Deanna was the THPO’s Archaeological Collections Assistant from 2017-2021. While at the THPO, Deanna worked to preserve, support, and process the Tribe’s archaeological collection. She also often wrote the popular Artifact of the Month series, and worked on many community and educational outreach programs. She lives in Lakeland, FL with her husband, two sons, and dog.