Fort Gadsden, Florida

Fort Gadsden, Florida
This view shows one of the
bastions of Fort Gadsden. The
earthworks seen here were
originally topped with a log
palisade.

Marker at Fort Gadsden
Originally preserved by the State
of Florida, the sites of Fort
Gadsden and the "Negro Fort"
are now protected by the
National Forest Service.

American troops returned to the
"Negro Fort" site in 1818, when Gen.
Andrew Jackson invaded Florida
during the First Seminole War.

Impressed with the location of the
original fort, Jackson ordered a new
post constructed here as a supply
depot for his movements. Lt. James
Gadsden, who later negotiated the
Gadsden Purchase from Mexico,
impressed Jackson with his efforts
and the new outpost was named Fort
Gadsden in his honor.

The new fort was built within the original outline of the much larger British Post. Using
the old British artillery battery as a front for his new fort, Gadsden built a stockade-
topped earthwork between the site of the original "Negro Fort" magazine and the river.
These earthworks have survived remarkably well and can still be seen today.

U.S. troops remained here until Florida was transferred from Spain to the United
States in 1821. The site later became a riverboat landing, but an envisioned town
never developed because the site was extremely unhealthy. Malaria and other
diseases proved a scourge to anyone who ever attempted to live here.