Olustee Battlefield was about a 2.5 hour drive north from where I live. The day before my visit there the time changed so I was awake at 4 am & ready to hit the road. My original plan was to go to the closet park to me & work my way up but since I had some time I on my hands I decided to reverse the order. I arrived at the park as soon as it opened & of course I was the only one there.
Olustee Battlefield was the first historic site & oldest state park, but it still seemed to be a work in progress. It was a nice, clean park with significant history. I must admit, it was pretty cool to stand where one of Florida’s largest civil war battles took place. It was not until I starting State Parking that my eyes were open to Florida’s history. Growing up I always thought of the states history starting with Disney opening. It has been refreshing to know Florida is known for many other things.
I also thought it was pretty cool that a battle scene from the movie Glory was filmed during one of the annual re-enactments the park puts on in February. There is a festival all weekend & people everywhere in period pieces. It really seems like a fantastic event to go see. I bet this would be something my dad would enjoy too.
While I was at the park I enjoy the peace of being there alone. I walked around, read the plaques & admired the statues.
Before you visit, make sure you check out the parks website for all of the up-to-date park information: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/olustee-battlefield-historic-state-park
