Florida Historical Markers Programs - Marker Detail

Description: Construction on Fort King Road, first known as the Military Road, was begun in 1825 north from Fort Brooke at Tampa Bay. By the 1830's penetration had been made to Fort King near present day Ocala, and the road assumed strategic military importance. Along this route occurred "Dade's Massacre" on December 28, 1835. Attacking near Bushnell in Sumter County, the Seminoles wiped out the detachment of Major Francis L. Dade and set off the Second Seminole War.