Fort Dallas

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Fort Dallas was established on the plantation of William English in 1836 as an United States military post and cantonment in southern Florida during the Seminole Wars. When the soldiers left, the fort became the base for a tiny village established by William H. English, which he called Miami. It was named in honor of Commodore Alexander James Dallas, U.S. Navy, who commanded U.S. naval forces in the West Indies. Fort Dallas remained in Union hands during the American Civil War and was abandoned afterward. Old Fort Dallas was established in 1836 as a United States military post and cantonment, and not as a fortification, although it is more than probable that there was a stockade surrounding it in its early days. It was named in honor of Commodore Alex. James Dallas, U. S. N., then in command of the naval forces in the West Indies.

The first commandant was Lieutenant F. M. Powell, who remained in command about two years. From 1836 to 1857 it was occupied much of the time by troops, but was not a military reservation. Quite a number of buildings were erected, and today only two remain. In addition to these, there were a dozen comfortable dwellings besides the slave quarters, stables, and a blacksmith forge.

During the Civil War the place was occupied by refugees from many places, and at the close of the war by a hand of desperadoes. Judah P. Benjamin, of the Confederate camp, made his escape to Cuba through Indian River and Bay Biscayne. In describing the trip, he refers to the rough treatment he received at the hands of occupants of the fort, but, he added that it was a beautiful and picturesque spot, with its white houses and fine parade ground. The interior of the fort has been improved, and care has been taken to preserve the exterior unchanged.

Some of the buildings were razed to the ground and removed to other locations, and in 1872, while the property was occupied by Dr. Harris, all the remaining buildings except the two still standing were burned, the fire originating accidentally in the house occupied by Dr. Harris.

The old barracks are still untouched save by the hand of time, and the parade ground is more beautiful than ever, aided by the hand of the landscape gardener.


In 1891, Julia Tuttle brought her family to live in a large home on the Miami River that had been in use when Fort Dallas occupied the spot. Tuttle repaired and converted the home into one of the show places in the area with a sweeping view of the river and Biscayne Bay.

According to the book, "TimeOut Guide Miami", another Miami riverfront site worth visiting is Lummus Park which sits on the north side of the Miami River at NW 4th Avenue and NW 3rd Street. Here you'll find the original Fort Dallas Barracks, originally built at the mouth of the river in [1836]. These first served as plantation slave quarters, then as army barracks during the Second and Third Seminole Wars, and finally as Julia Tuttle's home in 1891 after being moved here stone by stone".

In 1895, following the successful efforts of Tuttle and fellow landowner William Brickell to attract a railroad, Fort Dallas was part of the site of the new city of Miami, Florida.