Pine Castle Pioneer Days, 1974

The Council Oak

"Nearby, in the forest primeval, amid unfolding history, once stood in majestic beauty the Council Oak, traditional meeting place of the Indian chiefs in the Seminole Indian War, 1835-1842.". So reads the historical marker placed at the location of the Council Oak on South Fern Creek Avenue near Gatlin Avenue.

Historians say that under this majestic live oak the fierce Seminoles planned their sudden attacks on the settlers. The successful Dade Massacre may have been planned at this very spot.

It was also under this oak that a council was called to inform the Indians of their departure on ships from Tampa to reservations in the West. Not all the Seminoles were sent west. A few escaped and remained to harass the settlements for years, until they were finally pushed down into the Everglades. There heir descendants live today.

Lightning finally killed the mighty oak. There are reports that it was cut up and carted away to be used for fire wood. This seems unlikely, for the pioneers never used "lightning struck" trees for fire wood. They were superstitious about it. Some believed that it burned too fast and did not put out enough heat, while others believed it would bring bad luck and even death into the house.