Fort Jefferson: A Look at Fort Pierce's Historic Namesake

Fort Pierce: A Look at Fort Pierce's Historic Namesake

Fort Pierce residents often hear the name "Fort Pierce," but fewer may know the history behind the "fort" in our city's name. The original Fort Pierce, established in 1838, was a military outpost named after Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Kendrick Pierce, brother of future U.S. President Franklin Pierce.

This historical fort, however, was not located where our modern city center stands today in the historic downtown. Instead, it was situated on the barrier island, near the present-day Fort Pierce Inlet. Its primary purpose was to serve as a supply depot and a base of operations during the Second Seminole War.

While the original Fort Pierce was dismantled by 1842, its legacy lived on, eventually lending its name to the community that grew on the mainland along the scenic Indian River Lagoon. Today, there are no visible remnants of the original fort, but its historical significance remains a foundational element of our city's identity.