e, we were not able to go camping so we visited a state park 45 minutes outside of Lakeland, Paynes Creek historic state park. This site was one that does not monitor the ranger station, so make sure to bring $3.00 cash per vehicle. We went to the visitor's center first, which is on the right hand side when you enter the park. The visitor's center holds is small and holds a short history of the area. This park is built around where Fort Chokonikla once stood.I know what you are thinking -- so what? Well, this fort was built during the Seminole Wars in Florida. What happened was, there was a small general store in town, called the Kennedy-Darling T
rading Post. It was built to help improve settler/Native American relations, enabling them to trade with one another. Well, one night only a few months after the trading post opened, the Seminoles attacked and killed two of the owners. Obviously, this caused a public outrage. So, the fort was built. However, the fort only lasted a year before the extreme disease, loneliness, and boredom caused the U.S. Government to shut it down. There are only a few excavated remains of the fort, but the area is marked where it used to stand. As Tom dutifully pointed out, there were no tall trees around the vicinity of the fort, because they had been cut down to build it and for firewood. Interesting observation. The fort also led off into several trails. To the left is a picture of the fort area.
rading Post. It was built to help improve settler/Native American relations, enabling them to trade with one another. Well, one night only a few months after the trading post opened, the Seminoles attacked and killed two of the owners. Obviously, this caused a public outrage. So, the fort was built. However, the fort only lasted a year before the extreme disease, loneliness, and boredom caused the U.S. Government to shut it down. There are only a few excavated remains of the fort, but the area is marked where it used to stand. As Tom dutifully pointed out, there were no tall trees around the vicinity of the fort, because they had been cut down to build it and for firewood. Interesting observation. The fort also led off into several trails. To the left is a picture of the fort area.
Other than that, there are several other things to do in the park. There is a canoe launch into Paynes Creek, which is a tributary of the Peace River. It was a very steep launch and also a 20 minute walk down a dirt road that was closed to vehicles at the time, so I am glad we didn't haul the canoe. There are nice pavilions in a different section, along with a new-looking playground and swings.
Right past the playground there were two interesting trails. The first only took about 10 minutes for us to walk, and it included a suspension bridge! I felt like Indiana Jones, exploring a lost world.
At the end of the trail with the suspension bridge was the grave site of the two
general store owners, erected soon after their death in 1849. Worth the short walk. There was also a trail that led to the site of the general store, but since nothing remained of it, we decided to pass. We had already walked several miles of trail that day. There is youth camping at this park, but no regular camping, which was too bad. I guess there are not enough attractions to warrant it. Nonetheless, I thought it was a good day journey to learn some Florida history first hand.
general store owners, erected soon after their death in 1849. Worth the short walk. There was also a trail that led to the site of the general store, but since nothing remained of it, we decided to pass. We had already walked several miles of trail that day. There is youth camping at this park, but no regular camping, which was too bad. I guess there are not enough attractions to warrant it. Nonetheless, I thought it was a good day journey to learn some Florida history first hand.Til next time,
The camping bug
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