BLANCHE A. WILLIAMS, A.K.A. FLUTEITY: The performing artist, composer and Afro-Indigenous flautist brings her sacred sounds to the Cleansing Ceremony at Loxhatchee Battlefield on Sunday at 10 a.m., part of the free, twoday commemoration of Seminole Maroon history, Jan. 18 at West Jupiter Recreation Center, and Jan. 19 at Loxahatchee Battlefield Park, Jupiter, during Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW FOSTER

Jupiter, Fla. – This year’s Florida Black Historical Research Project (FBHRP) focus is the “Negro Fort” at Prospect Bluff in North Florida.

The Fort was destroyed by Andrew Jackson in 1816 and is significant to the onset of the so-called three Seminole wars.

The saga of the post-War of 1812 Negro Fort at Prospect Bluff on the Apalachicola River in the Florida Panhandle (not to be confused with the older, more famous Fort Mose near St. Augustine) will be the special focus of the 2025 Annual Seminole Maroon Spiritual Commemoration of the Loxahatchee Battlefield with two events, Jan. 18 and 19, presented by the nonprofit FBHRP during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

Settlements Destroyed 

The destruction of the free Black settlement at the fort in 1816 would have repercussions for decades to come throughout the Florida peninsula and reaching as far as the Bahamas, Trinidad and Cuba, as it set the stage for the unrelenting decades-long war against Seminole peace, prosperity and freedom that would come to its turning point with the two “battles” of the Loxahatchee River in Palm Beach County in January, 1838.

The two holiday weekend events, featuring illuminating presentations on largely forgotten yet decisive history, will take place at locations on West Indiantown Road in Jupiter, in the general Loxahatchee River and Limestone Creek areas of the established Seminole settlement to which Native and Maroon (African American) survivors of the Christmas Day, 1837 Battle of Okeechobee) had retreated.

Outstanding Historians 

On Saturday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m., Willard “Bill” Steele, former historian for the Seminole Tribe of Indians of Florida, who produced a 64-page study of the preliminary conditions and aftermath of the “Negro Fort” for the National Park Service, will speak on “Florida’s Black Frontier,” focusing on Black settlements on the peninsula during the early 1800s, at West Jupiter Community and Recreation Center, 6401 W. Indiantown Road.

Steele’s study, “The Negro Fort on the Apalachicola: Where the Underground Railroad Crossed the Trail of Tears,” was significant in the reclamation and restoration of the historical site.

On Sunday, Jan. 19, beginning at 10 a.m. at Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park (in Riverbend Park), 9060 W. Indiantown Rd., the Annual Spiritual Remembrance will feature author Dale Cox discussing his book “The Fort at Prospect Bluff,” a detailed account of the origins, occupation, and destruction of “Negro Fort.”

Both presentations will feature overviews by Dr. Anthony Dixon, author of “Florida’s Negro War,” who will offer insights into the littleknown history of “a fighting force of thousands, Red Stick Creeks, Seminoles, Miccosukee, other American Indians … and freedom-seeking maroons, gathered … -to form the largest free Black settlement in North America” (from book cover of Cox’s study).

Annual Remembrance 

Sunday’s event also features traditional opening rituals, prayers, and ceremonies to honor the land and all of the fallen whose lives were sacrificed at the sacred battlefield site. Included will be insightful greetings from partnering organizations – Loxahatchee Battlefield Preservationists and Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department – and two special musical presentations, amidst the historical and cultural exhibits on display.

Special Performances 

The Afro-Indigenous flautist known as “Fluteity” will honor Ancestors through her sacred Native American flute sounds, and the popular Tallahassee-based Capital Battery Line of youths led by Brian Forbing will provide drumming performances.

In a time of censorship of African American History, the Jupiter commemorative events contribute significantly to the remembrance of the life, teachings, and legacy of Dr. King.

They also launch the observance of the centennial year of the birth of his contemporary human rights leader, ElHajj Malik El-Shabazz, the Muslim minister more popularly known as Malcolm X, on the 60th anniversary year of his tragic assassination.

Both leaders were murdered at age 39.

Open to the Public

Admission to all events is free and open to the public although registration is strongly urged. Visit eventbrite.com or contact Dr. Wallis Tinnie, info@fbhrpinc.org.