PAYNES CREEK HISTORIC STATE PARK

By  Mike Miller April 22, 2025

Payne’s Creek Historic State Park, located near Wauchula in Hardee County, Florida, is a 410-acre preserve blending rich history with natural beauty.

Situated where Payne’s Creek meets the Peace River, the park commemorates a pivotal moment in the Seminole Wars.

Paynes Creek

Visitors can explore scenic trails, paddle along the river, and delve into the park’s past through a museum and historic sites. 

It's a compelling destination for history buffs and nature enthusiasts alike. 

In the 1840s, tensions between settlers and Seminole Indians led to the establishment of the Kennedy-Darling Trading Post in 1849, built on Seminole land along Payne’s Creek (then Charlo-popka-hatchee-chee, or “Little Trout-Eating Creek”).

On July 17, 1849, rogue Seminoles attacked, killing store managers George Payne and Dempsey Whidden and burning the post, an event that sparked the Third Seminole War (1855–1858).

In response, the U.S. Army constructed Fort Chokonikla in October 1849, the first in a chain of forts to control the Seminoles.

Though never attacked, the fort was abandoned by July 1850 due to malaria and yellow fever from nearby swamps.

The sites of the trading post and fort were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. 

Located at 888 Lake Branch Road, Bowling Green, FL 33834 (phone 863-375-4717), the park is open daily from 8 am to sunset. The visitor center and museum operate from 9 am to 5 pm, Thursday through Monday.

Admission is $3 per vehicle. Four miles of easy trails, including the one-mile Peace River Trail, offer hiking, while the Peace River is ideal for canoeing and kayaking (hand-launch only). Three pavilions ($30 rental + $5 electric) and picnic areas are available, with restrooms at the visitor center.

Bring water, bug spray, and binoculars for birdwatching, and check trail conditions during the rainy season (June–September). 

• Seminole Name: The creek, called Hatse Lotka by the Seminoles, marked a treaty boundary after the Second Seminole War, highlighting the era’s tensions.  

• Ghostly Legends: October ghost walks highlight tales of restless spirits from the 1849 massacre and soldiers who died of disease, fueled by reported paranormal activity.  

• Birding Haven: Part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, the park’s trails attract migratory songbirds like Scarlet Tanagers and Painted Buntings.  

• Archaeological Find: 1980s excavations confirmed Fort Chokonikla’s location, though no visible traces remain above ground.  

PAYNES CREEK HISTORIC STATE PARK WEBSITE