BILLY BOWLEGS

Billy Bowlegs is a Florida historical marker in Fort Myers, Lee County, dedicated 1961.

Lee County · dedicated 1961 · 951 Marsh Ave Billy Bowlegs Park (see comments), Fort Myers

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Seminole Chief Billy Bowlegs refused to move West in 1842 following the Second Seminole War. An 1853 State law making Indian residence illegal caused increased pressure against the Seminoles in the Big Cypress Swamp. In December, 1855, army surveyors from Fort Myers injured crops of Bowleg's plantation. This began the Third Seminole War often called the Billy Bowlegs War. He surrendered after three years when his people were promised financial aid. In March, 1858, Bowlegs and 165 Seminoles left peacefully for Oklahoma.

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Barry Lawrence Ruderman Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

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Marker data: Florida Historical Marker Program, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State

BILLY BOWLEGS

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