Fort Cummings
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 28° 05.439 W 081° 43.784
17R E 428310 N 3107459
Located in downtown Lake Alfred.
Waymark Code: WMN66D
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 01/02/2015
Views: 10
Approximately 1 1/2 miles west of here near the shore of Lake Alfred is the site of Fort Cummings. Named for Col. Alexander Cummings of the Fourth Infantry. Established January 22, 1839 and occupied by detachments of the First and Second Infantry and the Third Artillery.
Part of the line of forts set up in central Florida to protect the route from Fort Brooke, Tampa to Fort Mellon, Sanford.
One of the dramatic events of the year occurred here when Coacoochee or Wildcat appeared at the fort attired in the full regalia of a member of a Shakesperian cast. The year before, in 1840, Wildcat an his band attacked a theatrical group between Picolata and St. Augustine and after killing the men of the party escaped with the costumes belonging to the troupe. These, he and his band wore as they approached the fort and created an effect on the spectators.
Marker Number: None
Date: None
County: Polk
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: The Polk County Historical Commission
Website: Not listed
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