1927 – 2019

A Giant is Gone

Since its start in 1980, Dade’s Battle Reenactment has been recognized as the premier portrayal of a Second Seminole War conflict. But it is likely that our signature event would never have begun had it not been for the dogged determination of its creator, Frank Laumer.

Upon visiting here in 1962, Frank viewed a trifold brochure about the 1835 battle from whence the park is named and became quite interested. Asking for more information and hearing none was available, his 57-year quest began.

Frank took it upon himself to find everything he could on the battle and its participants. Without any formal training, he became acquainted with historians, archivists, authors, descendants of the battle’s participants and other notables, and even went to the extreme of receiving permission to exhume the remains of one of only three battle survivors, Ransom Clark, in order to have claims of his wounds confirmed. In this way Frank was assured that Clark’s reporting on the details of what happened here was true.

By 1980, Frank Laumer adopted the role of Ransom Clark to begin educating the public about what truly happened. By that time he had already written the award-winning Massacre!, the first of what would become three books on Dade’s Battle. He became recognized as the world authority on Private Ransom Clark, as well as a greatly sought-after source of information on the Second Seminole War.

Frank Laumer has educated, entertained and encouraged countless friends and admirers who were inspired to build upon his work and expand upon it exponentially, always reflecting his original quest to find out more.

When Frank died, a giant was gone but not forgotten.

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Frank Laumer, one of our two 1992 co-founders, passed away on November 18, 2019. Only nine days before, he had met with other board members from his bedside and commented upon the regular business of our meeting that day, as well as providing advice for the future.

The impact he had, not only on the Foundation but also on a host of other like-minded groups cannot be overstated.

Intrigued by a visit to Dade Battlefield in 1962, Frank went on to write two non-fiction books and one historical novel on the 1835 battle, and doggedly pursued efforts to heighten public awareness of the Seminole Wars and the events that took place here in Florida before it became the nation’s playground.

His work in identifying and preserving historical sites, uncovering and publishing the truth of long-ago events, and educating the masses about his discoveries has inspired many others to do such work.

Frank left behind a large personal family and even larger legions of admirers and friends.

He was 92.