Fort King National Historic Landmark | Ocala / Marion County Florida

Website

3925 E Fort King Street Ocala, Florida 34470

(352) 368-5533

Overview

Park: All Week, Sunrise - Sunset (or 7 PM, whichever comes first)

Welcome Center: Fri. & Sat. 10 AM - 5 PM

Archaeological Resource Center: Fri. & Sat. 10 AM - 5 PM

So begins the story of Fort King.

The Fort King National Historic Landmark is located in Ocala, Florida – Marion County. Fort King, originally built in 1827, was named for Colonel William King who commanded the Fourth Infantry before Brevet Brigadier General Duncan L. Clinch.

In July 1836, Fort King was abandoned and burned by the Seminoles. In 1837, the second Fort King was built. This site served as military headquarters for most of the Second Seminole War.

A vast majority of the Fort King site comes under local government ownership (jointly owned by the City of Ocala and Marion County). On February 24, 2004, Secretary of the Interior, Gale Norton designated Fort King as a National Historic Landmark.

Today, Fort King is operated by the City of Ocala. The Fort King Heritage Association, Inc. is a Florida not-for profit corporation formed to protect, preserve and develop the history of Fort King. The City works closely with the FKHA and Marion County to further our collective goals towards advancing a better understanding of our heritage through Fort King.
The park is open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset or 7 p.m. (whichever comes first).

Park amenities include the Visitor’s Center complete with Fort King and Florida history, a library, and an Archaeology Center. The Archaeology Center showcases artifacts found on-site at Fort King. It offers education about the archaeological process that took place for the re-creation of the Fort King replica and future projects like the blacksmith shop. The Center also features new artifacts that have never been seen by the public and were discovered during the blacksmith shop excavation. New exhibits are planned quarterly.

There is also an interpretive trail that descends from the top of the hill (where the fort stands) to the Seep Spring and down through a ravine that includes both foreign and native plant and tree species. Pack a lunch and make some memories at one of our picnic facilities. Group visits of ten or more should call Fort King to schedule. Arrangements can be made to see the sight for persons with mobility issues.