Paynes Creek Historic State Park

When the Second Seminole War ended in 1842, the federal Armed Occupation Act was passed. It let Seminole War veterans apply for a 160-acre homestead in Florida. At the same time, a reservation was created for the Seminoles in southwest Florida. Trade with Seminoles had been limited by the US government, so as to prevent them from obtaining weapons to use in further conflict with white settlers. To compensate, white-run trading stores were permitted on the reservation's outskirts letting the Seminole obtain supplies and luxuries. The Kennedy-Darling Trading Post was constructed along the Charlo-popka-hatchee-chee (Little Trout-Eating Creek in Seminole), west of Peas Creek (later known as the Peace River), near present-day Bowling Green.  

Ignoring the terms of the treaty with the Seminoles, and their land rights, white settlers moved further southward encroaching on the reservation. Though Seminole leader, Billy Bowlegs, was reconciled to this, others of his people were not. On July 17, 1849,  store management and clerk Captain George Payne and Dempsey Whidden were killed by renegades identified as Seminoles, following which the store and everything in it was burned.

Reports of the attack motivated the U.S. Army to establish a chain of fortifications across the Florida peninsula. This line of forts across the northern boundary of the Seminole reservation was intended to protect the settlers to the north and provide bases for the Army to control the Seminoles. Work began on Fort Chokonikla, (believed to derive from the Seminole "Chocka-nickler" meaning "burnt store") the first in the chain, on October 26, 1849. It was built on high ground near the former trading post. Following the fort's completion, the nearby creek became known as Paynes Creek, which it is still called to this day. The Seminoles did not want war and the fort never came under attack.

However, due to its location near a swamp, a breeding site for mosquitos, many of those stationed at the fort contracted and died of malaria. Due to the high number of casualties, the fort's doctor recommended the fort's closure. The army quickly agreed and Fort Chokonikla was vacated on July 18, 1850, after less than nine months of occupancy, and a year and a day after Payne and Whidden's deaths. It was never reoccupied. In 1978, the Fort Chokonikla site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The state of Florida acquired the land containing the Monument, Trading Post and Fort Chokonikla in 1974. The park, now 410 acres, opened to the public in 1981.

Although nothing remains of the fort or the trading post, visitors can learn about the history of these at the park's visitor center.

Like the name suggests, Peace River is freshwater river flows peacefully through the wooded areas of Paynes Creek Historic State Park. Formerly called “Rio de la Paz” by Spanish explorers, the river has a rich history of supporting the large population of Calusa Native Americans, who occupied the area hundreds of years ago. The plentiful amount of fish provided a constant source of food, and the freshwater provided over 5 million gallons per day of drinking water.  Today, nature enthusiasts and hikers can enjoy walking along trails through the park's natural areas. Paynes Creek and the adjoining Peace River provide opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and fishing.

A museum at the visitor center depicts the lives of Florida's Seminole Indians and pioneers during the 19th century. The visitor center is open daily during park hours of operation.