[1] Old Fort Dallas was established on the plantation of Richard Fitzpatrick and William English in 1836 as a United States military post and cantonment in southern Florida during the Seminole Wars.

[2] In 1836, the U.S. Navy established patrols on Biscayne Bay to prevent trading between the Seminoles and traders from Cuba or the West Indies.

Another noteworthy commander was U.S. Army Colonel William S. Harney (1839–1840) of the 2nd Dragoons who led an attack against Seminole chief Chakaika in 1840.

In describing the trip, he refers to the rough treatment he received at the hands of occupants of the fort, but, he added that it was a beautiful and picturesque spot, with its white houses and fine parade ground.

In 1891, Julia Tuttle brought her family to live in a large home on the Miami River that had been in use when Fort Dallas occupied the spot.