The original settlement was named Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose.
Inhabitants were required to convert to Catholicism and swear allegiance to the Spanish Crown in exchange for freedom.
The settlement served as a strategic military outpost to defend St. Augustine from British incursions from the north.
Archeological excavations conducted at the site since the 1980s provided evidence of the original fort's foundations.
The fort was abandoned and eventually destroyed following the British capture of Florida in 1763.
The park is recognized as a member of the Florida National Parks and is part of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.
Fort Mose Historic State Park commemorates the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States. Established in 1738, the settlement provided a refuge for escaped enslaved people seeking freedom in Spanish Florida. The park grounds feature a museum dedicated to the history of the fort and the lives of its inhabitants. Visitors can explore the landscape of the salt marsh and tidal creeks that historically surrounded the original fort. Interpretive exhibits detail the 1740 Battle of Fort Mose, a significant conflict in the colonial struggle between the Spanish and the British. The site is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Much of the original fort structure is now submerged or eroded due to changing environmental conditions in the marshland. The park offers walking trails that provide vistas of the surrounding coastal ecosystem.
The elevated boardwalk overlooking the tidal marsh provides the best vantage point for landscape photography.
Bring insect repellent as the marsh environment attracts mosquitoes and biting flies.
Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for sandy or grass-covered trails.
Visit the museum before walking the trails to understand the context of the archeological site.
Do not attempt to walk through the marsh grass or tall vegetation, as it contains hidden hazards and sensitive wildlife habitats.
The visitor center and museum are typically closed on select major holidays.
Stay on marked trails to protect the fragile salt marsh ecosystem and respect the integrity of the historical archeological site.
