Fft King Memorial

Nice place to visit

The birthplace of Ocala and Marion County. Headquarters of the U.S. Army during the Second Seminole war, 1835 - 1842. Location of the Indian Agency at that time. 2nd dragoons were stationed there at one point, as well as the 7th infantry. The Second Seminole war started here and with the Dade ambush. Osceola and his warriors attacked Indian Agent Wiley Thompson, killing him and Lt. Constantine Smith. After the war, became first courthouse and county seat. Now there is a visitors center, small, but soon to be replaced by a larger, more improved one. At present there are history displays including artifacts from on-site and nature trails, but a full size reproduction of the fort is set to be finished by the end of 2017. The park already has top notch staff and a full program schedule, but even better things are in the works. Stop by and take a stroll through history. If you look close, you might even see a Seminole watching from behind a tree on the trail...