Fort Gardiner, Military fort in Lake Wales, Florida, United States
Fort Gardiner was a stockaded fortification with two blockhouses positioned along the Kissimmee River near Lake Wales in Polk County. The structure featured defensive walls and served as a military outpost during the territorial conflicts of that era.
Colonel Zachary Taylor established this fort in December 1837, naming it after Captain George Washington Gardiner who died in an earlier conflict. Its construction followed significant battles in the region that underscored the need for stronger military presence.
The fort represented a significant military outpost during conflicts between United States forces and Seminole tribes in Florida territory.
The site is located at the intersection of Camp Mack Road and Rosalie Boulevard, but is no longer easy to identify on the ground. Visitors should explore the area with local maps or guides since the original markers have long been removed.
After a major battle in 1837, the site served as the first medical station where wounded soldiers received care before being transferred elsewhere. This role as a field hospital shows its practical importance beyond merely defending the territory.
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