History

Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park commemorates the site of Florida’s largest Civil War battle.

In 1909, the Florida legislature acquired three acres to build a memorial to commemorate the event.

In 1912, when many living Civil War veterans still attended reunions, the battlefield became the state’s first historic site. Today, the battle is reenacted every year during the second weekend in February.

Although Olustee Battlefield officially became a state park in 1949, it holds the distinction of becoming the state’s first State Historic Monument 40 years earlier in 1909. For more than 100 years, Olustee has welcomed visitors to walk its grounds and remember Florida’s largest battle in one of our nation’s bloodiest conflicts.

Battle of Olustee

The Battle of Olustee took place on February 20, 1864, between Union troops advancing west from Jacksonville and Confederate forces from Florida and Georgia. After several hours of battle, Confederate troops forced a Union retreat to Jacksonville. One of the regiments representing the Union that day was the African-American 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This unit was one of the first black units formed during the Civil War and was originally commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.

Although the film does not cover the Battle of Olustee, scenes from the movie, Glory, which tells the story of this regiment, were filmed at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park.   

Monument Dedication

On October 23, 1912, veterans of the Battle of Olustee gathered with other dignitaries including then Florida Governor Albert W. Gilchrist and U.S. Senator Duncan U. Fletcher to dedicate the monument remembering the battle and those who gave their lives here.