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Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Nearby Parks:
Dade Battlefield Memorial State Park
Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park
Withlacoochee State Forest
Chinsegut National Wildlife Refuge (historical)
Fort Cooper State Park
Lake Griffin State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
7200 CR 603 South Battlefield Drive
Bushnell, Florida 33513
Phone: 352-793-4781
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Overview: |
| The battle that started the Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. On December 28, 1835, Seminole Indian warriors ambushed 108 soldiers at this site-only three soldiers survived. The park protects not only a historic battlefield, but also the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled over 180 years ago. Strolling a half-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods, visitors might see gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, songbirds, hawks, and indigo snakes. The park has a playground, picnic area with covered shelters, and a recreation hall. The visitor center has information and displays about the battle and visitors can watch a twelve-minute video history, This Land, These Men. The center is open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily. Located off I-75, exit 314, west of U.S. 301.
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year. |
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| Trails: |
| Take a leisurely 20 minute walk along the Pine Flatwoods Trail. This trail acquaints visitors with the native pine woods that is home to gopher tortoise, a variety of snakes, woodpeckers and other animals. Review the events of the battle by walking the short battlefield trail. This trail actually follows a stretch of the historic Fort King Military Road. It has interpretive labels and monuments to Dade and his command. There is also a 10K Florida Volkssport Association trail that thoroughly covers the park sites and which goes outside into the neighboring community. |
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| Area Activities |
| Fishing Charters | |  | Flatwater Adventure Tours - Brooksville, FL
Flatwater Guide has two astonishing adventures to choose from. Bass Fishing and a Nature/Scenic tour. Fish for Largemouth Bass in remote areas of the Withlacoochee
River, where it's not uncommon to fish all day and not see another living soul. You could also choose a lazy canoe tour up and down the pristine Weeki Wachee Springs
canoe trail where you can see tons of different fish, wildlife and see the amazing Manatees in their natural habitat.
Web Site: http://www.flatwaterguide.com/Home_Page.html |
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| Picnicking: |
| The park offers picnicking opportunities in a quiet and tranquil setting. There are also 6 picnic shelters available on a first come first serve basis or for rental. They are excellent for parties and have electricity and lights. The Gardiner Pavilion is one of the most popular shelters for children's parties. It is adjacent to the playground and restrooms. |
| History of the Area: |
| In 1821 the United States acquired Florida from Spain and it became a US territory. By the 1830's significant conflict had happened between the new white settlers and the Seminole indians. The Seminoles were told that they had to move to a new reservation in Oklahoma. When told to move, 3/4 of the Seminoles moved without a fight. The other 1/4 signed a treaty saying they would move if given one year to prepare. They had no intentions on leaving. They were delaying for one year when they would have to fight. In December 1835 108 US troops and officers were marching from Ft Brook in Tampa to reenforce Fort King in Ocala for the event of the Seminoles surrendering. 100 miles from Tampa they were attacked by 180 Seminole warriors. All but 3 of the soldiers were dead and only three Seminoles were killed. This lead to the declaration of war between the United States and the Seminole Nation. In January 1905 Congressman Stephen Sparkman asked that copies of the files related to "Dade's Massacre" be sent to him. He proposed a bill to save the site but it did not pass. Senator Duncan Fletcher later continued to gather documents with the encouragement of the Superintendent of West Point, General Douglas MacArthur. In 1921 the state legislature appropriated funds for the preservation of the battle site as a memorial. Through the succeeding years the park has been carefully developed to rescue the site from obscurity and exploitation. Today visitors can visit the site where there is a museum, a replica of the breastworks on it's original site and a section of the original Ft King road. |
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| Directions: |
| Dade Battlefield Historic State Park is located off I-75 and S.R. 48, west of Highway 301. |
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