Isn’t that at the top of every child's mind all year long?
You may think that it is only three months away and it'll be here in the blink of an eye, but for those of you who live in the Central Florida area it's always only a mere 30-40 minutes away.
Christmas, Florida has a population of about one thousand and is home to the 200-foot-long, man-made gator. But the feature destination of our trip to Christmas was Fort Christmas Historical Park.
Fort Christmas Historical Park
This historical site takes visitors back in time to show what life was like for the early Florida "crackers" and soldiers. As settlers continued to move to Florida in the 1800s, there was a demand for the Seminole Indians to move west of the Mississippi River. Fort Christmas was one of over 200 forts that was built during the Second Seminole War.
The 25-acre park features a replica of the 1837 fort that was originally a mile north. The fort serves as an onsite museum that visitors can explore to learn more about the war. The fort includes two blockhouses for protection, a storehouse, and powder magazine for storing ammunition. In the blockhouse exhibits, you will find items ranging from war artifacts, tools, period clothing, weapons, and antique toys. These buildings included numerous historical stories and videos in an air-conditioned environment.
Inside the Fort
Behind the fort, there are pioneer homes that preserve the "cracker" architecture in East Orange County. Florida "cracker" wood home characteristics feature raised metal roofs, large porch areas, and straight central hallways. The houses interpreted pioneer life from the 1870s to the 1930s. The antiques that filled the homesteads are impressive and provides a learning experience for guests of all ages. Each house that we traveled through left me in awe of the pioneer way of life.
A Pioneer Life
The park itself not only serves as great historical significance, it is also a fantastic place to take in recreational activities with friends and family. The park provides picnic pavilions, BBQ Pits, an oversized playground, baseball field, tennis court, and basketball court. I would suggest packing a lunch to enjoy the day at the park.
We would suggest not taking this trip in the midst of our hot Summers unless you don’t plan on taking in all of the park at once. It is much nicer to be able to meander through the historical houses without the humidity and sweat overwhelming the experience. It wasn’t long ago that cattle roamed this area and air conditioning was something people only dreamed of.
Fort Christmas Settlement
Please take note that the park is closed on Monday's and most holidays. They say some of the best things in life are FREE and this is definitely one of them with no admission to the park or museum.
In the Summer-time this place may tend to be quiet, but in the holiday season the small town is filled with activities. It may be cheesy...no, it is cheesy but I have this urge to send out my Christmas cards from here so they will be postmarked Christmas, FL.
We definitely look forward to visiting Christmas again in the near future.
Our Recommendation
DEFINITELY GO!
Address
Fort Christmas Historical Park
Travel Time
30-40 minutes
Exploration Time
Anywhere between 2 to 4 hours.
What’s Nearby?
- Jungle Adventures
- Orlando Wetlands Park
- Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge
- Airboat Rides at Midway
Additional Info
Official Site
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