Fort Duncan McRee (also _Addison Blockhouse_) (Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Florida)
Ormond Beach, Volusia County · Florida · Second Seminole War
History & Significance
John Addison acquired the land in 1807 and established the plantation Carrickfergus after his Irish birthplace; by 1816, the plantation covered 1,414 acres and grew cotton and other field crops. Following Addison's death in 1825, his brother Thomas buried him on the property; the plantation was sold two years later to Duncan and Kenneth McCrae, who built a large steam-powered sugar mill in 1832 that operated for four years.
On March 10, 1836, Seminole warriors King Philip and Wildcat led a raid destroying the sugar mill and other buildings; on February 27, 1836, returning U.S. troops had begun construction of the blockhouse around a kitchen foundation with an 18-foot-high palisade wall and moat. Three soldiers were killed during the subsequent Seminole attack, and the troops then abandoned the area.
The blockhouse was restored in the early 20th century and has since been owned and maintained by Tomoka State Park. The site exemplifies the vulnerability of East Florida plantations during the Second Seminole War and the rapid transition from agricultural prosperity to military fortification.
Key Facts
Sources
- https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/addison-blockhouse-historic-state-park
- https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-addison-blockhouse
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addison_Blockhouse_Historic_State_Park
- https://flaglercountyhistoricalsociety.com/second-seminole-war-1835-1842-fortifications-in-the-volusia-and-flagler-county-area/
- https://www.ormondhistory.org/dummett