PHOTO VIA RICHES UCF
A historic fort site dating back to the 1830s, complete with an abandoned former school administration building owned by Orange County Public Schools, is set to be listed for sale.
OCPS plans to sell the historic Fort Gatlin property in the next 60 days, starting from July 18, with a minimum starting bid of $1.4 million. During that time, the school board is encouraging residents to approach Orange County with proposals, like converting the site into a historical park. If county support doesn’t materialize before the 60-day window ends, OCPS will proceed with the sale.
Fort Gatlin was originally built in 1838 by the U.S. Army during a period of conflict with the Seminole tribe. It later served briefly (1856) as Orange County’s seat. It stood at a strategic location between Lakes Gatlin, Gem Mary, and Jenny Jewell, acting as a military outpost and settler refuge.
Legally, OCPS has the green light from the State Historic Preservation Office to either sell or demolish the building, which is not on the National Register of Historic Places. However, the area lies in a densely built neighborhood, so many locals feel the site should remain a cultural asset, not become yet another development, with some neighbors favoring it being transformed into a gated historical park with interpretive signage, rather than just another condo development.
