Old Fort Pierce Park is the site of Fort Pierce, a military installation constructed by the U.S. Army in Florida with the purpose of being a main supply depot for the army during the Second Seminole War. The modern town of Fort Pierce derives its name from this installation.
Fort Pierce, named for its first commander Benjamin Pierce, was built in 1838 and abandoned in 1842 at the end of the Second Seminole War, burning down the following year.
Today, the site is a park along the Indian River. The park is also the site of an ancient burial mound of the Ais Indians.
Famous quotes containing the words fort, pierce and/or park:
“She was beautiful when she died—a hundred years ago.”
—Garrett Fort (1900–1945)
“Let not my beauty’s fire
Inflame unstaid desire,
Nor pierce any bright eye
That wandereth lightly.”
—George Peele (1559–1596)
“Linnæus, setting out for Lapland, surveys his “comb” and “spare shirt,” “leathern breeches” and “gauze cap to keep off gnats,” with as much complacency as Bonaparte a park of artillery for the Russian campaign. The quiet bravery of the man is admirable.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)