James M. Gray

Fort Harllee James M. Gray

Fort Harllee was established and constructed at latitude 79 deg. 50 min., longitude 81 deg. 40 min., on March 18, 1835 under the direction of Major William W. Harl1ee of the South Carolina Volunteers, serving in Florida. He had visited the site the previous year and had erected picket walls with two substantial blockhouses, one on each diagonal comer. When it was built it was therefore named in his honor. He also served as its first commander. Fort Harllee was built primarily for the protection of early settlers in the area from marauding Seminoles and situated between Garey's Ferry at Middleburg and Newnansville, which would later become Alachua's first county seat. It was located on the north bank of the Santa Fe River at a point where the Black Creek to Newnansville Road crossed the river; just south of Hampton's Lake. When an alarm was given of impending Indian attack, settlers would all gather in and around the fort for protection.