Dade Battlefield State Historic Site

Bushnell

"Have a good heart; our difficulties and dangers are over now, and as soon as we arrive at Fort King you'll have three days to rest and keep Christmas gaily." Major Francis L. Dade spoke these words of encouragement to 108 cold, tired soldiers in a pine forest on the morning of December 28, 1835. Within eight hours, only three soldiers would survive the battle that marked the beginning of the Second Seminole Indian War.

The story of this momentous battle in Florida history is told in the visitor center at Dade Battlefield State Historic Site. The site is open from 8 a.m. until sundown daily. The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Contact the visitor center for re-enactment dates and times and admission pricing. The battle changes a little every year.

Dade Battlefield State Historic Site is located off I-75 and S.R. 48, west of Highway 301.

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