Experiences
Amenities
Okeechobee Battlefield Historic Park has historical battlefield reenactments once a year, usually in February. View our park events for more information.
Come on out to Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park and have a picnic under our new picnic pavilion designed after a Seminole chickee hut (pronounced cheek-ee). Chickee is the Seminole Indian word for house. The chickee style of architecture, palmetto thatch over a cypress log frame, originated during the early 1800s.
When Seminole Native Americans were pursued by U.S. troops, they needed fast, temporary shelter while on the run. So popular, efficient and functional is the chickee that such Seminole architecture can be seen all over South Florida. The chickee structure lasts about 10 years and needs to be re-thatched every five years. Several Seminole tribal members make a living building custom chickees for both commercial and private interests. Seminoles of Florida designed and manufactured the chickee hut at the battlefield.
Enjoy the view and the history of the battlefield while being shaded from the sun and protected from the elements.
