Old Fort Park Archeological Site - New Smyrna Beach, FL
N 29° 01.625 W 080° 55.312
17R E 507608 N 3210988
The Old Fort Park Archeological Site is located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on July 10, 2008.
Waymark Code: WM6XMN
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 08/02/2009
Views: 17
From the
Florida Public Archaeology website:
Old Fort Park is best known for its “old fort” ruins. In fact, the coquina stone foundations on site are probably the remnants of an 18th century Turnbull settlement structure. The works were misinterpreted and restored with the addition of bastions by the Works Progress Administration in the 1920s. What is of equal interest on site is the presence of large prehistoric shell mound. Archaeological remains, including deep deposits of shellfish and an array of other marine species, suggest that occupants were skilled fishermen. The pottery recovered from the site indicates occupation.
A historical marker at the site provides the following information about the Turnbull Settlement:
1768 British Colony of New Smyrna
During Florida's British Colonial Period, 1763-1783, Doctor Andrew Turnbull established the largest North American colony at this site. Approximately 1300 Minorcans, Greeks, and Italians comprised the colony named after Smyrna, Asia Minor, the birthplace of Dr. Turnbull's wife.
The colony experienced success in producing indigo dye, rice, hemp, and other crops for shipment to England. Buildings, wharfs, and a canal system still visible today, were constructed.
Despite successes, after nine years, the colony failed. Approximately 600 survivors of the colony relocated to St. Augustine where many descendants reside."
James Emery Chapter
National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century
1998
A second historical marker at the site provides the following information:
Foundation of Turnbull Palace
Begun around 1770 as the official residence of Dr. Andrew Turnbull, founder of the New Smyrna colony of Minorcans, Greeks and Italians, this palace was to have been a large coquina building. It was never completed due to the disintegration of the colony in 1777.
The massive foundation had been placed in the heart of a prehistory Indian mound, a commanding position which was noted as the Ais Indian Village of Caparaca on the Hexia map of 1803. Utilized by Ambrose Hull for his coquina home in 1805 - destroyed by radical "patriots" in 1812. The same site was chosen for the home of Thomas Stamps 1830. Burned by Indians 1835, the home hotel of John Sheldon followed in 1854, burned by Yankees in 1863, rebuilt after the Civil War.
Placed by Jane Sheldon Chapter DAR 1975.