The bridge over the Hillsborough River was a choke point on the military road that connected Fort Brooke (Tampa) to outposts to the north. The bridge was destroyed by Seminoles at the onset of the Second Seminole Indian War. Fort Foster was built defend the new bridge. Attempts were made to destroy the new bridge, but none were successful.

The present fort is a replica constructed on the site of the original, and is part of The Hillsborough River State Park.