Home > Orlando > National and State Parks

Ft. Christmas Historical Park - Orlando Hotels .com

A replica of an 1840's era Seminole War fort houses an interesting museum at Fort Christmas Historical Park. The exhibits present a poignant picture of the war, and include the Indian point of view as well as a glimpse into the life of the soldiers of that time. Photographs, old plows and tools, hand-made furniture, quilts and old letters give the visitor a real feel for the lives of the pioneers to the area, and several pioneer buildings have been moved onto the grounds of the park. In addition to the museum, the park features picnic tables, playgrounds, and ball fields.

Fort Christmas was one of many forts built in Florida during the Seminole Wars. Constructed in December of 1837, the soldiers sent to build and occupy the fort aptly named it Christmas, as construction began on Christmas Day. The Seminole Wars, of which there were three, spanned at period beginning in 1817 and ending in 1858. They were some of the costliest of the Indian wars, in terms of money and lives. The estimated cost of the campaign was 40 million dollars, and 1500 military personnel, along with uncounted civilians, were killed. 

Directions: Take I-4 east to Exit 30B, SR-435. Take SR-435 north 5-7/10 miles to W. Colonial Drive. Turn left onto W. Colonial Drive and follow the signs to the park entrance.