Tampa Bay’s Fort Brooke

By William E. Males

Tampa Bay’s Convention Center’s strategic location is rich with history. This prime piece of real estate is positioned on the eastside of the mouth of Hillsborough River, which now has the man-made Garrison Channel running to the east and the Seddon Channel running southerly. Other man-made features are Davis Islands, directly to the south, which used to be Little Grassy Key and Big Grassy Key. These islands were built up from mud dredged from the bottom of Tampa Bay in the 1920’s and expanded to become some of the most pristine real estate in the area. Today these man-made features and waterways are attractive compliments to the City of Tampa, providing a unique and scenic setting for Tampa’s recently completed River Walk.

However long ago in 1528, when Spanish explorers first arrived in the Tampa Bay region, it was a natural paradise where several native civilizations had flourished, dominating the Gulf Coast, including the Tocobaga, the Timucua, the Apalachee, Seminole, Miccosukee and the Calusa. It was a Calusa village, then called Tanpa, that eventually became known to the Spanish as Tampa.

For thousands of years this part of Florida was the home and hunting grounds of these Native American Indians. Today many of the artifacts and exhibits of their lifestyle and arts are on display several excellent exhibits in the Tampa Bay History Center. In future articles we will take an appreciative look at the life and culture of these early Floridians and discuss some of the historical sites still accessible for curious modern day explorers.

Due to a lack of natural immunity many of the native Indian tribes were virtually annihilated by the onslaught of diseases brought by earlier European explorers. So great was the devastation that by the early 1700’s several of the various tribes had all but vanished. Weakened by their decreased numbers they became powerless to resist the raiding parties of English colonists from the north who wanted to claim the area. Sadly, the few remaining native settlements were destroyed by other Indian tribes. Eventually, due to disease and wars, the end result was the Tampa Bay area became virtually desolate and uninhabited until it was briefly claimed by the British in the late 1700’s, only to succumb once again to a Spanish possession after the American Revolution. Then in 1821, Spain sold the Florida territory to the United States for a whopping $5 million.

Shortly afterwards, in 1823, the United States Army was directed to establish a military presence on Tampa Bay in an endeavor to contain the activities of the Seminole Indians who had moved into the area after the demise of other tribes. It was also a necessity to have the outpost in order to curtail a rise in illegal activities along the gulf coast. It was here on the mouth of Hillsborough River that under Colonels George Mercer Brooke and James Gadsden, with four full companies of the U.S. 4th Infantry Regiment, was established “Cantonment Brooke," in honor of the distinguished and popular Lieutenant Colonel.

Here at the mouth of the Hillsborough River, previously named Lockcheepopko (Indian for “sweet acorn”), was decided the most fitting location for a military post. In addition to its distinct military advantages, a more beautiful spot could not have been found in the whole bay area. The site was covered with several live-oak trees on a gentle slope extending to the bay. During the Seminole war Fort Brooke became a key position and was established as one of the large depots for supplies for the operating armies.

Originally the site was marked by a huge hickory tree which had grown atop an ancient Indian mound built most likely by the Tocobaga culture centuries before. Under the direction of Colonel Brooke, the troops cleared the area in preparation for the construction of a wooden log fort complete with support buildings. In 1824, the post was officially rechristened Fort Brooke, which served as a major outpost during all three Seminole Indian Wars and the Civil War.

On October 16–18, 1863, a minor engagement was fought that became known as the “Battle of Fort Brooke.” The following year, on May 6th, Fort Brooke and Tampa were both captured by Union Forces resulting in decline of activity and growth throughout the 1870s and early 1880s. Finally, the last military roll call of soldiers was given in 1882 and the post was decommissioned by the US Army in 1883. Shortly afterwards, in 1885, Fort Brooke became an independent incorporated town and was later annexed by Tampa in 1907.

Today the scars of its early history have nearly all been erased by the booming growth and the enduring appeal of the area. Here the attraction that brought the early settlers is still flourishing as it continues to lure new residents and visitors to the area. With the past hostilities gone and the healing forgiveness of time, Tampa Bay Area has become a monumental asset to the State of Florida and the international corporate world as well.

Whether you are a resident or just visiting, plan a trip to the Tampa Bay History Center and you will gain a little more experience and a lot of appreciation of the area’s history. There you can also grab a quick bite at their eatery overlooking the waterway and take a stroll along Garrison Channel on Tampa’s River Walk to the Convention Center and witness for yourself how Tampa Bay has blossomed into an inviting and beautiful metropolis . . . and don’t forget your camera