Fort Harrison, Florida: Difference between revisions
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The fort was an important part of the early settlement of Clearwater and the surrounding area. During the time of its occupation by the military, [[Odet Philippe]] (the first permanent, non-native settler in [[Pinellas County]]) owned a [[Sutler|sutler's store]], and was most likely doing business with the fort.<ref name="territorial_forts" /> After the war, in accordance with the [[Armed Occupation Act]], James Stevens was granted 160 acres of land on and around the abandoned fort.<ref name="pinellas" /><ref name="clearwater" /> Other families later settled on the land surrounding Stevens' land, and eventually a community formed which would ultimately become the city of Clearwater. |
The fort was an important part of the early settlement of Clearwater and the surrounding area. During the time of its occupation by the military, [[Odet Philippe]] (the first permanent, non-native settler in [[Pinellas County]]) owned a [[Sutler|sutler's store]], and was most likely doing business with the fort.<ref name="territorial_forts" /> After the war, in accordance with the [[Armed Occupation Act]], James Stevens was granted 160 acres of land on and around the abandoned fort.<ref name="pinellas" /><ref name="clearwater" /> Other families later settled on the land surrounding Stevens' land, and eventually a community formed which would ultimately become the city of Clearwater. |
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Today the only physical marker of the existence and whereabouts of the old fort is a plaque, which was erected in 1935. The plaque is located outside the historic Twin Oaks property, which is just south of the [[Donald Roebling Estate]], on the corner of Druid Road South and Druid Road West. The [[Fort Harrison Hotel]] and Fort Harrison Avenue in Clearwater are named after the fort. |
Today the only physical marker of the existence and whereabouts of the old fort is a plaque, which was erected in 1935. The plaque is located outside the historic Twin Oaks property, which is just south of the [[Donald Roebling Estate]], on the corner of Druid Road South and Druid Road West. The [[Fort Harrison Hotel]] and Fort Harrison Avenue in Clearwater are named after the fort.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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27°57′26″N 82°48′15″W / 27.95722°N 82.80417°W
Fort Harrison was a United States military post that existed along the west coast of Florida during the Second Seminole War, on a site which now lies within the city of Clearwater.[1] It was named after William Henry Harrison, the then newly inaugurated President of the United States.
The fort was established on April 2nd, 1841 on a pine bluff overlooking Clearwater Harbor, where the Harbor Oaks Residential District is now.[2] An auxiliary encampment, Camp William Henry Harrison, was also established on Clearwater Beach.[3] The fort was created as a convalescent post to treat sick and injured soldiers from other nearby forts, most notably Fort Brooke.[4] Diseases that were treated include neuralgia, chronic diarrhea, dysentery and remittent fever, among others.[5]
Between two and seven companies of the 6th U.S. Infantry Regiment were garrisoned at the fort under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Gustavus Loomis.[2] An average of around 340 soldiers were stationed at the fort during its occupancy.[6] The greatest number of troops that were stationed at the fort was around 500 to 550 between the months of May and July 1841.[2][3]
While the main function of the fort was to allow soldiers to recover their health and strength, in some cases the garrison was used to patrol that area of the state. In July 1841, Colonel William J. Worth (the commander of the U.S. military forces in Florida at the time) used troops from this fort, as well as Fort Brooke and Fort King, to capture the Seminoles in the area north of Tampa Bay, between the Homosassa and Crystal Rivers and in the vicinity of Tsala Apopka Lake.[7]
A large log building was used to house the soldiers, while the officer's quarters were situated in a separate building.[6] The buildings may have been destroyed by a hurricane, perhaps the Key West Hurricane of 1841.[3] In any case, the command moved to Fort Brooke around October 20th, 1841. The fort was fully abandoned around November 1st, 1841.[2]
The fort was an important part of the early settlement of Clearwater and the surrounding area. During the time of its occupation by the military, Odet Philippe (the first permanent, non-native settler in Pinellas County) owned a sutler's store, and was most likely doing business with the fort.[3] After the war, in accordance with the Armed Occupation Act, James Stevens was granted 160 acres of land on and around the abandoned fort.[4][6] Other families later settled on the land surrounding Stevens' land, and eventually a community formed which would ultimately become the city of Clearwater.
Today the only physical marker of the existence and whereabouts of the old fort is a plaque, which was erected in 1935. The plaque is located outside the historic Twin Oaks property, which is just south of the Donald Roebling Estate, on the corner of Druid Road South and Druid Road West. The Fort Harrison Hotel and Fort Harrison Avenue in Clearwater are named after the fort.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Robert B. Roberts (1988). Encyclopedia of historic forts: the military, pioneer, and trading posts of the United States. New York: Macmillan.
- ^ a b c d Herbert J. Drane (March 18, 1935). Fort Harrison (Plaque). Washington, D.C.: United States Army Adjutant General's Corps.
- ^ a b c d Ernest F. Dibble (Fall 1999). "Giveaway Forts: Territorial Forts and the Settlement of Florida". The Florida Historical Quarterly. 78 (2). Florida Historical Society: 207–233.
- ^ a b William L. Straub (1929). History of Pinellas County, Florida. St. Augustine, Florida: The Record Company.
- ^ George M. Brown (1902). Ponce de Leon Land and Florida War Record. St. Augustine, Florida: Record Printing Company.
- ^ a b c Woman's Club of Clearwater (March 1917). A History of Clearwater, Florida (PDF). Clearwater, Florida: The Clearwater Evening Sun.
- ^ John K. Mahon (2017). History of the Second Seminole War, 1835–1842 (PDF). Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida.
