Treaty Park: Remembering the creating and the breaking of The Treaty of Moultrie Creek

It's very easy to run past the historic marker located in the center of St. Augustine's Treaty Park.  I'm guilty of it myself, along with the many joggers, soccer players, kids and dogs that frequent the spot.  The dogs are especially guilty of not stopping to read the sign commemorating the very historic event that occurred on these lands.
 

Sign explaining the treaty of Treaty Park

 The Treaty of Moultrie Creek was signed in 1823 between the U.S Government and 17 very diverse groups of Seminole Indians.  A treaty that was meant to provide peace for the Government and the Indians was instead  broken by both sides.  Clashes continued between the two groups,  escalating into The Second Seminole War in 1835.  The war lasted seven years and was the largest, longest, and costliest Indian Conflict in U.S History.

Seminole War image: shamm.tripod.com

The exact location of the treaty signing is unknown, but it's believed to have been under a large oak tree ("Treaty Oak") just North of the current day park.   In the 1930'a a  marker was placed where the treaty signing location was believed to have occurred.  But there was little access to the location and the coquina concrete marker was eventually moved to the park.

Original marker in its original location. Image by State Archives of Florida

1930'a historical marker accompanies the present day one

  
Treaty Park is a St. Johns County Public Recreation facility located at 1595 Wildwood Drive, St. Augustine, FL. It's open from dawn til dusk.



Text and Images (except where noted) by Robbie Boggs, FPAN Staff