HOLIDAYS 2021
HOLIDAY 2021: 29
the war progressed with military action
southward. As a result, the supplies
were no longer routed by land, but by
ship to Fort Jupiter at Jupiter Inlet. Just
three months later, in March 1838, the
fort was abandoned and it eventually
deteriorated. Nothing remains of the
original structure.
In 1976, as a bicentennial project, Orange
County Parks and Recreation Department,
with the support of the Army Corps of
Engineers, began a full-size replica of Fort
Christmas in the county park less than a
mile from its original location.
The new fort was completed in December
1977, exactly 140 years later. A small museum
within the fort showcases military,
Seminole Indian and pioneer artifacts
dating from the Seminole War period,
including weapons, clothing, tools and
household appliances.
In May 1990, the Fort Christmas Historical
Society was formed with a goal of creating
a living history settlement within
the park. One can walk back through time
visiting eight pioneer Florida Cracker
homes built in the 1870s to the 1930s.
They have been lovingly moved from
their original locations to the park,
restored and furnished with authentic
and reproduction period pieces. You
can also visit a 1906 school and its
lunchroom, and a pole barn housing
antique farm equipment. Of course,
no visit to the settlement is complete
without taking a photo by the
community outhouse.
A CRACKER CHRISTMAS
More than 40,000 people typically visit
Fort Christmas during the annual Cracker
Christmas celebration at the park during
the first weekend in December. The Fort
The 1917 Beehead Ranch house is part of the pioneer
village at Fort Christmas Historical Park.
Christmas Historical Society plans to hold
the popular event this year on Dec. 4-5.
Visitors can experience Christmas past
with pioneer demonstrations, handmade
crafters, barbecue and camp fire cooking
and a variety of food and gift vendors.
The settlement will be decorated like
it was at the turn of the century so
bring the whole family to experience
what Christmas was without plumbing,
electricity and dollar stores.
The event is free and the park is open from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
To make sure the event is being held this
year, check www.OrangeCountyParks.net,
People worldwide send their greeting cards to be
stamped with the coveted Christmas cancellation.
The Union School, circa 1906 later became Christmas
Elementary in 1969.
KERRY FIRTH PHOTOS
A replica of the fort was completed in December 1977, exactly 140 years after it was first built by the Army.
or call 407.254.9312 because it was canceled
last year due to COVID-19.
Even if you can’t come to Cracker
Christmas, it’s worth a side trip to visit
the tiny town with the big Christmas
spirit. Christmas and the Fort of
Christmas Historical Museum is just 16
miles west of I-95 and 20 miles east of
Orlando on State Road 50.
And don’t forget to send your Christmas
cards early to have them stamped with
the cherished Christmas postage stamp.
Your friends will be amazed that you’ve
located the southernmost branch of the
North Pole operation.
/www.OrangeCountyParks.net
