stationed at the fort contracted and died of malaria. This became such a problem that the fort's doctor recommended the fort's closure. The army quickly agreed, and the fort was vacated on July 18, 1850, after less than nine months of occupancy, and a year and a day after Payne and Whidden's deaths. Recreational activities Activities include canoeing, kayaking, fishing, geocaching, and bird and butterfly watching. Amenities include a number of historic sites, three picnic pavilions, and a museum at the visitor's center that recreates pioneer life. Hours Florida state parks are open between 8 am and sundown every day of the year (including holidays). References External links Paynes Creek Historic State Park at Florida State Parks Paynes Creek State Historic Site at Absolutely Florida Hardee County listings at National Register of Historic Places Hardee County listings at Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs Fort Chokonikla at Ghost Towns and History of the American West Fort Chokonikla at Cracker Barrel – Genealogy & History By Spessard Stone Allen C. Altvater webpage The Massacre at Payne’s Creek Chokonikla State parks of Florida Chokonikla Parks in Hardee County, Florida Seminole Wars Ghost towns in Florida Museums in Hardee County, Florida History museums in Florida Pre-statehood history of Florida Protected areas established in 1978 Florida Native American Heritage Trail Former populated places in Hardee County, Florida National Register of Historic Places in Hardee County, Florida Conflict sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida 1978 establishments in Florida