Fort Gatlin Historic Marker Sign, 2004
Dublin Core
Title
Fort Gatlin Historic Marker Sign, 2004
Alternative Title
Fort Gatlin Historic Marker
Subject
Orlando (Fla.)
Orange County (Fla.)
Historical markers--Florida
Historic sites--Florida
Seminole War, 2nd, 1835-1842
Native Americans
Seminole Indians--Florida
United States. Army
Forts
Army
Description
The Fort Gatlin Historic Marker, located near the corner of Summerlin Avenue and Gatlin Avenue in Orlando, Florida, in 2004. Fort Gatlin was a U.S. Army fort established during the Second Seminole Indian War (1835-1842) on November 9, 1838, in Mosquito County, Florida. The fort was named in honor of Army Assistant Surgeon John S. Gatlin (1806-1835), a casualty of the Dade Massacre in 1835. The fort's location overlooked three lakes and was frequented by Seminole warriors led by King Philip, the Seminole Chief, and his son, Coacoochee.
The fort was active until the Army withdrew from the area in 1849. A number of soldiers and their families settled in the area to grow citrus and raise cattle. In 1856, Fort Gatlin became the county seat for Orange County, formerly part of Mosquito County. The community changed the name to Orlando. In 1941, the U.S. Navy established the Underwater Sound Research Laboratory on Lake Gem Mary. The laboratory was closed in 1997.
This historic marker was erected when Fort Gatlin was declared a Florida Historic Site and is sponsored by the Fort Gatlin Historical Group, Orange County Public Schools, the Orange County Government, and the Florida Department of State. An earlier historic marker was erected by the Orlando Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) on March 27, 1924.
The fort was active until the Army withdrew from the area in 1849. A number of soldiers and their families settled in the area to grow citrus and raise cattle. In 1856, Fort Gatlin became the county seat for Orange County, formerly part of Mosquito County. The community changed the name to Orlando. In 1941, the U.S. Navy established the Underwater Sound Research Laboratory on Lake Gem Mary. The laboratory was closed in 1997.
This historic marker was erected when Fort Gatlin was declared a Florida Historic Site and is sponsored by the Fort Gatlin Historical Group, Orange County Public Schools, the Orange County Government, and the Florida Department of State. An earlier historic marker was erected by the Orlando Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) on March 27, 1924.
Creator
Cook, Thomas
Source
Original color digital image by Thomas Cook, 2004: Private Collection of Thomas Cook.
Publisher
Date Created
2004
Contributor
Cook, Thomas
Is Part Of
Thomas Cook Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
254 KB
Medium
1 color digital image
Language
eng
Type
Still Image
Coverage
Fort Gatlin, Downtown Orlando, Florida
Underwater Sound Research Laboratory, Downtown Orlando, Florida
Fort Gatlin Historic Marker, Downtown Orlando, Florida
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Civics/Government Teacher
Geography Teacher
Provenance
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by Thomas Cook and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
Source Repository
Private Collection of Thomas Cook
External Reference
Andrews, Mark. "Site's Key To Orlando History: Fort Gatlin." The Orlando Sentinel, May 7, 2000. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2000-05-07/news/0005060156_1_seminole-gatlin-fort.
Roberts, Robert B. Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States. New York: Macmillan, 1988.
Transcript
SITE OF FORT GATLIN
On November 9, 1838, during the Second Seminole Indian War (1835-42), the U. S. Army established Fort Gatlin in Mosquito County. This fort was named for Army Assistant Surgeon John S. Gatlin (1806-1835), who was killed in the Dade Massacre in 1835. The site of the fort was chosen as a military outpost due to its strategic position overlooking three lakes and because the area was frequented by Native Americans led by Seminole Chief King Philip and his son Coacoochee. The Fort served the state militia during the war until the Army withdrew in 1849. A few soldiers and families remained in the area, growing citrus and raising cattle. In 1856, Fort Gatlin became the county seat of Orange County, created from Mosquito County in 1845. The community's name was later changed to Orlando, a name attributed to militiaman Orlando Reeves, who was reportedly killed in a skirmish during the Second Seminole War. It is believed that Reeves is buried near the site of Fort Gatlin. In 1941, during World War II, the United States Navy established the Underwater Sound Research Laboratory near this site on Lake Gem Mary because of the great depth of the lake. The lab was closed in 1997.
A FLORIDA HERITAGE SITE
SPONSORED BY THE FORT GATLIN HISTORICAL GROUP, ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
F-483
2003
On November 9, 1838, during the Second Seminole Indian War (1835-42), the U. S. Army established Fort Gatlin in Mosquito County. This fort was named for Army Assistant Surgeon John S. Gatlin (1806-1835), who was killed in the Dade Massacre in 1835. The site of the fort was chosen as a military outpost due to its strategic position overlooking three lakes and because the area was frequented by Native Americans led by Seminole Chief King Philip and his son Coacoochee. The Fort served the state militia during the war until the Army withdrew in 1849. A few soldiers and families remained in the area, growing citrus and raising cattle. In 1856, Fort Gatlin became the county seat of Orange County, created from Mosquito County in 1845. The community's name was later changed to Orlando, a name attributed to militiaman Orlando Reeves, who was reportedly killed in a skirmish during the Second Seminole War. It is believed that Reeves is buried near the site of Fort Gatlin. In 1941, during World War II, the United States Navy established the Underwater Sound Research Laboratory near this site on Lake Gem Mary because of the great depth of the lake. The lab was closed in 1997.
A FLORIDA HERITAGE SITE
SPONSORED BY THE FORT GATLIN HISTORICAL GROUP, ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
F-483
2003
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Born digital image
Collection
Citation
Cook, Thomas, “Fort Gatlin Historic Marker Sign, 2004,” RICHES, accessed May 23, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/2070.