Florida has a rich and diverse history. African American landmarks and legacies exist in various locations throughout the state, including Olustee County.
Olustee
Olustee Battlefield State Park
Two miles east of Olustee on U.S. Highway 90
This site commemorates the February 20, 1864, Battle of Ocean Pond. A Union force of approximately 5,200 troops under the command of General Truman A. Seymour marched westward to meet a Confederate force led by General Alfred H. Colquitt. The battle lasted nearly five hours before Union forces retreated. Casualties amounted to an estimated 1,860 Union and 946 Confederate soldiers.
The Olustee Battle Festival and Re-enactment commemorates the largest Civil War battle fought in Florida, resulting in more than 2,800 casualties and a Confederate victory. Three African American regiments, the 8th and 35th United States Colored Troops and the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, fought as part of the Union Army. It is estimated that one-third of the total Union casualties for the battle were from the black regiments.
Each year hundreds of African American Civil War reenactors pay tribute to the black regiments by participating in the reenactment of the Battle of Olustee. Since 1975, reenactors gather at the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, the actual site of the February 20, 1864, Civil War battle. The activities of both soldiers and civilians during the war are portrayed, including military camps and drills, medical demonstrations, and period music concerts. Held during President’s Day weekend just east of Lake City (located near the intersection of I-75 and I-10 in North Florida), the event features a Civil War skirmish on Saturday afternoon and the re-enactment of the Battle of Olustee on Sunday.
For more information visit the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park’s web site at www.FloridaStateParks.org/Olustee or call (850) 758-0400.
Adapted from Florida Black Heritage Trail, published by the Florida Department of State, in partnership with VISIT FLORIDA, copyright 2007. For more information on African American sites, please visit flheritage.com. The complete book can also be found at: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/milesmedia/floridablackheritage/
At times, we’d lock gazes with surfacing turtles and those sunning themselves atop flotsam, the creatures seemingly ever-ready to turn tail-up and scurry for the depths if our approach came in their direction.
Today, the Fort is a living history museum, complete with costumed re-enactors who offer up tidbits about life in the fort and "complain" loudly about living conditions, the weather, food and paychecks. Candlelight tours of the fort are given during the summer on Friday and Saturday nights.
