Thursday, October 11, 2012

Florida Native American Sites RDF-22


The “Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage” is an on-going educational project of its member sites. They have an interactive web-map hosted by the Florida Public Archaeology Network. The main webpage is: http://www.trailoffloridasindianheritage.org/florida-indian-trail-map.html



Preservation and protection of the Florida’s cultural sites is not only responsible stewardship, it is the law.  


Florida has a rich and multi-dimensional past. Prior to the arrival of Europeans on its shores, it was home to a diverse array of Native American cultures. Many were fisher folk, living close to estuaries and bays that teamed with fish, shellfish, and marine mammals. Others were agricultural societies in which individuals labored in fields controlled by a powerful regional chief. Archaeology has revealed evidence of temples and ball courts; complex burial rites and simple family hearths; intricate copper breastplates and beads made of local shell; sacred landscapes and seasonal hunting camps; pottery and tools, weapons and weaving.
The evidence of these cultures stretches back 12,000 years. This is our state’s cultural heritage. The artifacts, archaeological and historical sites, traditions of today’s native peoples, documents and historic records are all cultural resources; through these resources we learn about the past. 

The Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage is committed to promoting responsible stewardship of Florida’s historical and archaeological resources. Preserving these resources enhances our quality of life, promotes a sense of place that strengthens our communities, provides tangible connections to our history, and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to our state annually. Many of these sites have boardwalks, museums, nature trails, accurately re-created villages and Forts, and living history presentations. Many charge an admission fee, and have limited or seasonal hours.

The Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage members abide by the Society for American Archaeology Principles of Archaeological Ethics including:

Stewardship -The archaeological record, that is, in situ archaeological material and sites, archaeological collections, records and reports, is irreplaceable. It is the responsibility of all archaeologists to work for the long-term conservation and protection of the archaeological record by practicing and promoting stewardship of the archaeological record. 

Accountability -Responsible archaeological research, including all levels of professional activity, requires an acknowledgment of public accountability and a commitment to make every reasonable effort, in good faith, to consult actively with affected group(s). 

Commercialization -The Society for American Archaeology has long recognized that the buying and selling of objects out of archaeological context is contributing to the destruction of the archaeological record on the American continents and around the world. The commercialization of archaeological objects - their use as commodities to be exploited for personal enjoyment or profit - results in the destruction of archaeological sites and of contextual information that is essential to understanding the archaeological record. 

All eight Archaeology Principles of Archaeological Ethics principles can be found at: http://www.saa.org/AbouttheSociety/PrinciplesofArchaeologicalEthics/tabid/203/Default.aspx 

Important things for you to know regarding finding artifacts on public land or waterways:
http://www.flheritage.com/archaeology/underwater/finds/ 

Laws about Historic and Abandoned Cemeteries and Unmarked human burials: http://www.flheritage.com/archaeology/cemeteries/index.cfm?page=Laws 


Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) Coordinating Center. The Florida Public Archaeology Network's mission is to promote and facilitate the conservation, study and public understanding of Florida's archaeological heritage through regional centers, each of which has its own website. http://www.flpublicarchaeology.org/


Florida's Natural Habitats -Indian Shell Mounds are their own Habitat Type. 

 There is one transitional type of habitat that needs to be considered due to its historical context and wide distribution in Florida. The  Shell Mound Habitat is a transition habitat unique to native American midden mounds. 

Click here to read....Indian Mounds are their own Habitat...

 

 




MEMBER SITES AND FEATURED LOCATIONS of the
” Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage”

 University of West Florida Archaeological Institute
Bldg. 89, 11000 University Pkwy., Pensacola 
(850) 474-3015 

The Archaeology Institute at the University of West Florida is an educational, research and service facility concerned with the prehistoric and historic archaeological resources of the northwest Florida region. Archaeological investigations are conducted in both terrestrial and underwater settings. An exhibit hall open to the public is located in the Archaeology Institute Building (89).
http://uwf.edu/archaeology/about/


Oak Tree Nature Park & Archaeological Preserve
210 W. Hollywood Boulevard, Mary Esther 32569
Okaloosa County (850) 243-3566 

This beautiful pristine 25-acre park contains a rich Weeden Island archaeological site. The site was first discovered and recorded by William (Bill) Lazarus in 1965. The archaeological research conducted over the years resulted in the City of Mary Esther acquiring this magnificent property in 2001 through a grant from Florida Communities Trust. Come visit this pre-historic and natural resource sanctuary and walk in the footsteps of the ancient ones who lived and died here over 1000 years ago. Site includes a boardwalk.

I NDIAN TEMPLE MOUND MUSEUM and FORT WALTON TEMPLE MOUND.
139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. 

The museum contains a wide range of artifacts that are important to the history and culture of the area. A ceremonial and political center by the  Mound Builder Culture between 800-1400AD, and a  comprehensive collection of artifacts in the adjacent museum. The mound is a hill of earth created by the prehistoric people living in this area. The mound was probably begun around AD 700 and completed sometime between AD1500 and AD1650: the late Mississippian Time Period in the panhandle of Florida. The high point of its use was around the late 1400's.



Museum of Northwest Florida
115 Westview Avenue, Valparaiso 32580                                                               Okaloosa County
(850) 678-2615

Since 1971 the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida has collected and preserved cultural materials pertaining to local and regional history. Today the museum maintains collections of artifacts, photographs, and manuscript materials and makes these collections accessible through exhibitions, programs and its research library. See artifacts made by Northwest Florida’s earliest Native American inhabitants. Flint spear points, a black iron wash pot, crosscut saws, turpentine collection cups, a porcelain pitcher, lumber mill tokens, and old school desks portray the history of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. These artifacts, and hundreds more spanning the years from 8,800 B.C. to the present, illustrate past ways of life for you and your family to enjoy. Stone tools and weapons chipped by Paleo-Archaic hunters (our first residents) are on display. Pottery shards from the Woodland Period show you the ingenuity of pottery construction and decoration. The museum and gift Shop are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am – 4 pm. Admission: $2.

Florida Caverns State Park
3345 Caverns Road Marianna, Florida 32446 Jackson County
850.482.9598

The park features cave tours of the dry (air-filled) caves, which are very rare in Florida. Native Americans used the caverns for shelter for thousands of years. Displays include a variety of exhibits on the cultural and natural history of the park area, including pre-European periods. (Site #    )




Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park
3600 Indian Mounds Road Tallahassee, Florida 32303   Leon County
850.922.6007

The Lake Jackson Mounds Site encompasses six earthen temple mounds and one possible burial mound. Artifacts recovered during excavations show that the site is part of a larger southeastern culture known as the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex. Visitors can picnic on an open grassy area near the largest mound or hike past the remains of an 1800’s grist mill. Outdoor exhibits explain the history and lifeways of the native people who lived here.  (Site #   )





The Museum of Florida History
500 South Bronough Street N, R. A. Gray Building, Tallahassee 32399                                   Leon County
 (850) 245-6400

The Museum of Florida History has the mission to discover, preserve and exhibit the artifactual culture of Florida’s Indian and historic heritage. The museum presents permanent exhibits depicting Florida’s illustrious history from the prehistoric period through the 20th century. The museum collections include 19th century lithographic prints of Native American leaders in Florida, Seminole and Miccosukee patchwork clothing, traditional arts and crafts such as dolls and wood carvings and 20th century ceremonial artifacts. The collection also contains a number of 20th century postcards featuring Seminole and Miccosukee people and utilitarian items such as sofkee spoons and palmetto baskets.




Hernando DeSoto Winter Encampment Site
1001 DeSoto Park Drive, Tallahassee 32301                                                                        Leon County
(850) 245-6340

This 6-acre archaeological site is located in Tallahassee a mile east of the state capitol. It is the only place that the Spanish explorer, Hernando de Soto, is confirmed to have visited during his 1539-1540 expedition of the Southeastern United States. De Soto’s party camped during its first winter at this site, occupying the large Apalache village of Anhaica. Artifacts from site excavations are displayed inside the Martin House, which is located on the property. This 1930’s structure was built by Florida Governor John Martin and currently serves as offices for the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research. Buildings are open 8am to 5pm Monday - Friday. The outside is always accessible; it is a park-like setting with display panels.



Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park,
4500 Sunray Road, South Tallahassee, Florida 32309                                                   Jefferson County
850.922.6007

The Letchworth Mounds site includes Florida’s tallest recorded Native American ceremonial mound at 46 feet in height. The people who built the mound are believed to have been members of the Weeden Island Culture, a group of Native Americans who lived along the Gulf Coast between 1,200 and 1,800 years ago. There is a self-guided interpretive trail, including a boardwalk around the tallest mound.  (Site #   )





San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park
148 Old Fort Road    St. Marks, Florida 32355                                                                 Wakulla County
850.925.6216
Located at the confluence of the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers, Native Americans used the site of Fort San Marcos de Apalache for thousands of years. The fort was built by the Spanish in 1600s to protect the Spanish missions in the area. The park museum displays pottery and tools unearthed near the original fort and explains the history of the San Marcos site, a National Historic Landmark.  (Site #  )




Fort George Island Cultural State Park
State Road A1A South Jacksonville, Florida 32226                                                                Duval County
 904.251.2320

Native Americans feasted here, colonists built a fort, and the Smart Set of the 1920s came for vacations. A site of human occupation for over 5,000 years, Fort George Island was named for a 1736 fort built to defend the southern flank of Georgia when it was a colony. Today´s visitors come for boating, fishing, off-road bicycling, and hiking. Small boats, canoes, and kayaks can be launched on the tidal waters.  One of the seven parks which collectively comprise Talbot Islands State Parks. (Site #   )





Florida Museum of Natural History
University of Florida Cultural Plaza
3215 Hull Road Gainesville, FL 32611-2710                                                                   Alachua County
(352) 846-2000

Archaeology enthusiasts will especially enjoy exhibits in the Hall of Northwest Florida Waterways and Wildlife and the Hall of South Florida People and Environments. Florida’s fossil record is on prominent view in the Hall of Florida Fossils. 10 am-5 pm weekdays, 1-5 pm Sun., closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.




Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park,
100 Savannah Boulevard Micanopy, Florida 32667                                      Alachua County
 (352) 466-3397

Within this park is the site of Fort Chokonikla, built in late 1849 as an outpost in a chain of forts established to control the Seminoles. A museum at the visitor center depicts the lives of Florida’s Seminoles and pioneers during the 19th century. Today, nature enthusiasts can enjoy walking along trails through the park’s natural areas, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.  (Site #   )
http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie/default.cfm



Micanopy Historical Society Museum and Archives
Cholokka Boulevard at Bay Street, Micanopy 32667                                        Alachua County
(352) 466-3200

Located in the town named after Seminole Chief Micanopy, the museum has a display of Native American artifacts ranging in age from 5000 to 500 years and copies of the 16th century DeBry engravings of American Indians. William Bartram's drawings and sketches show local native flora and fauna. View portraits of Seminole War chiefs from the McKenny-Hall Portrait Gallery of American Indians. Read period newspaper articles to experience the troubled times of the Second Seminole War, when Fort Micanopy was a site for US soldiers defending area settlers. Open every day 1-4 pm. Call for group tours. Donation suggested.




Mount Royal Archaeological Site
136 William Bartram Drive, Welaka 32193                                                                         Putnam County
 (386) 467-9709

Mount Royal has been a favored location for people to live for thousands of years. First observed by William Bartram in 1765, the site was excavated by archaeologist Clarence B. Moore in 1893 and 1894. Moore found that the site included a Native American Burial mound, earthworks, a village area, and a Spanish mission, Antonio de Enacape, occupied by Timucua Indians. Moore unearthed an embossed copper breast plate, polished stone tools, pearl and shell beads and decorated ceramic vessels. The mound was constructed between 1250-1500 AD. The mission was built by the Jesuits who left in 1572 and then was occupied by the Franciscans from 1573 to 1587. Archaeologist B Calvin Jones salvage excavations at the village site in 1983 and in 1994-1995, revealed evidence of six structures. These buildings contained Spanish artifacts and were part of the Mission of San Antonio de Anacape (1587-1675)




Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
11 Magnolia St., St Augustine
 
The Fountain of Youth Site was occupied by the Timucua Indians for over 4,000 years. The village was named Seloy and archaeological digs conducted by Dr. Kathy Deagan from the University of Florida since 1976 reveal evidence of a thriving community. Artifacts from the site paint an amazing picture of dwellings, food, life ways, animals and contact with the Spanish in the 16th Century. The 1565 birthplace of Spanish St. Augustine, Florida offers 15 acres of significant history showcased by exhibits, living history and the land itself.


Mission Nombre de Dios
27 Ocean Avenue., St Augustine
 
Mission Nombre de Dios is the site of the founding of the city of St. Augustine (1565) and the first Franciscan mission (1587) in what is now the United States. The missionary effort to bring Christianity to the Native People of Florida began here with the Timucuan tribe and, until 1763, extended into far reaches of Spanish Florida (La Florida). Signs posted by Dr. Kathleen Deagan, FL Museum of Natural History, reference Native American contact and relations. Artifacts from her archaeological excavations are on display in the Mission Museum. There is a marker noting the burial site of several Native Americans from the 17th century.


Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
3165 Old King Road  Flagler Beach, Florida 32110                                                Flagler County
 386.517.2084

In the early 1800s, the Bulow family grew sugar cane, cotton, rice, and indigo and became prosperous. In 1836, during the Second Seminole War, Seminoles burned the plantation, effectively destroying it. The Bulow family did not rebuild it. The remains of this plantation, still visible today, are located in the park. A park interpretive center tells the plantation’s history.  (Site #   )




Cedar Key Museum State Park
12231 S.W. 166th Court Cedar Key, Florida 32625                                                               Levy County
 352.543.5350

Picturesque Cedar Key was a thriving port city and railroad connection during the 1800s. The museum contains exhibits depicting its colorful history during that era. The collection includes sea shells and Indian artifacts collected by Saint Clair Whitman, the founder of the first museum in Cedar Key.  In 1867, John Muir, famous naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, began a botanical walk from Kentucky to Florida. Upon his arrival in Cedar Key, he wrote in his journal: "For nineteen years my vision was bounded by forests, but today, emerging from a multitude of tropical plants, I beheld the Gulf of Mexico stretching away unbounded, except by the sky. What dreams and speculative matter for thought arose as I stood on the strand, gazing out on the burnished, treeless plain! "  (Site  #  )



The Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology
307 S.E. 26th Terrace, Ocala Fl.                                                                     Alachua County
352-236-5245 

The Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology includes a timeline of the archaeological and historic cultures of this region, covering the times from the first human inhabitants of the Paleoindian period through the colonial and historic periods.  Through the Museum's public archaeology programs, visitors can help to discover more about this region's incredible Native American heritage.  Open seven days a week, Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
http://marioncountyarchaeology.com/mcmha/mcmha.htm


Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center
1445 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala 34470                                                                           Marion County
 (352) 236-5401

This unique center is a program of Marion County Public Schools and is located within the Silver River State Park. Exhibits feature archaeology, paleontology, ecology, and the history of north central Florida. Highlights of the exhibits are the full size skeletons of the Pleistocene short faced bear and Columbian Mammoth, ancient Indian canoes and many collected ancient artifacts. While school is in session, on weekdays, the Center serves the school system and the grounds are closed to the public. On weekends, the museum is staffed by park service personnel and volunteers, and is open to the public.




Silver River State Park
1425 N.E. 58th Avenue Ocala, Florida 34470                                                          Marion County
352.236.7148

Humans have lived in the Silver River area for at least 12,000 years. Native American hunting artifacts discovered in the Silver River area include knives, scrapers and projectile points. The area was known as Ocali and was part of the Timucuan region. Today, the state park protects the Silver River and is home to the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center The state park also has a pioneer cracker village. (Site #    )




De Leon Springs State Park
601 Ponce de Leon Boulevard  De Leon Springs, Florida 32130                  Volusia County
 386.985.4212
 
Native Americans visited and used these springs as long ago as 6,000 years. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were burned by Seminole Indians in the 1830s during the Second Seminole War. Exhibit panels describe the area’s past, and tours are available. (Site #    )
http://www.floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings/default.cfm



Hontoon Island State Park
Boat or ferry ride accessible only.
2309 River Ridge Road Deland, Florida 32720                                        Volusia County
386.736.5309

In the middle of the St. Johns River, 2,000-year-old shell midden mounds are found along the shoreline and in the interior of Hontoon Island. Intricately carved wooden animal effigies have been recovered from these midden mounds. Trails through the island park take visitors past these ancient remains, and replicas of the animal effigies are on display in the picnic and playground area. A visitor center contains exhibits about the many inhabitants and uses of Hontoon Island over the past 2,000 years. The park’s ferry boat operates daily from 8 a.m. to one hour before sunset. There is no formal charge for park entry or the ferry ride but donations are gladly accepted.



Turtle Mound
 7611 South Atlantic Avenue, New Smyrna Beach

Turtle Mound is one of Florida's best known and largest archeological sites.  Built by Native Americans between 800 AD and 1400 AD, it stands 35 feet above the surrounding landscape.  From its summit is a panoramic view of the ocean, lagoon and barrier island.  Turtle mound was included on some of the earliest European maps of Florida, serving as an important navigational point for sailors.  It is a favored spot to watch for migrating hawks and oceanic birds and the northernmost known location for a number of subtropical plants, making the mound an intriguing combination of cultural and natural features.



Crystal River Archaeological State Park
3400 N. Museum Point     Crystal River, Florida 34428                                                       Citrus County

A National Historic Landmark, this 61-acre, pre-Columbian, Native American site has burial mounds, temple/platform mounds, a plaza area and a substantial midden. The six-mound complex is one of the longest continuously occupied sites in Florida. For 1,600 years the site served as an imposing ceremonial center for Native Americans. People traveled to the complex from great distances to bury their dead and conduct trade. It is estimated that as many as 7,500 Native Americans may have visited the complex every year. Although primarily an archaeological site, the park sits on the edge of an expansive coastal marsh. (Site #     )



Fort Cooper Historic State Park
3100 South Old Floral City Road Inverness, Florida 34450                                                Citrus County
352.726.0315

Named for Major Mark Cooper, the fort was built during the Second Seminole War. It saw action in 1836 with the First Georgia Battalion of Volunteers, and served as an observation post and stopover until the war’s end. Part of the palisade wall has been reconstructed, and a battle reenactment is staged each April during Fort Cooper Days.  (Site #    )




Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
7200 County Road 603   Bushnell, Florida 33513                                                   Sumter County
352.793.4781

The Dade battle ushered in the Second Seminole War in 1835. The park protects the National Historic Landmark battlefield and the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled over 170 years ago. The visitor center has information and displays about the battle and a 12-minute video history. An annual battle reenactment in late December commemorates the Seminole attack on Major Dade’s command. (Site #    )




Hernando Historical Museum
601 Museum Court, Brooksville 34603                                                    Hernando County
(352) 799-0129

Built in 1856, this 12-room, 4-story Victorian mansion exhibits over 10,000 artifacts including many from archaeological excavations of mounds in Hernando County. Docents provide guided tours. Open noon-3 Tues.-Sat




Fort Foster
Hillsborough River State Park, Thonotosassa,                                      Hillsborough County
813.987.6771

Within Hillsborough River State Park is a replica of Fort Foster, a Second Seminole War military fort built in 1836 and occupied until 1838. The fort guarded a military bridge over the Hillsborough River. An interpretive center contains exhibits on the fort, Seminoles, and Second Seminole War.




Safety Harbor Mound at Philippe Park
2525 Phillippe Pkwy, Safety Harbor, Pinellas, Florida 34695                            Pinellas County
 (727) 669-1947

Tucked away within the boundaries of Philippe Park and jutting out over Old Tampa Bay, an ancient mound continues to stand as silent sentry for the history of the people that came before us. Here the mighty Tocobaga thrived and made pottery and other artifacts that gave name to the Safety Harbor Culture dating from about 1000 AD until the first Europeans landed in Pinellas County.  (Site #    )




Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History
329 S. Bayshore Boulevard, Safety Harbor 34695                                                              Pinellas County
(727) 726-1668

The museum offers a rare opportunity to trace the history of Safety Harbor and the surrounding Tampa Bay area from prehistoric to modern times. Dioramas and displays tell the story of Florida’s first people and the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century. (Site #    )



Tampa Bay History Center
801 Old Water Street, Tampa 33602                                                                                         Hillsborough County
(813) 228-0097

Archaeological evidence in the Tampa Bay area dates to the 18th century when Cuban fishermen and their Tocobaga workers plied the waters of Tampa Bay at the end of the Spanish occupation. On display are artifacts used by the native population of the Hillsborough County area, as well as reproduced objects and tools from the archeological excavations at Key Marco.





Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center
1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg 33702                                                      Pinellas County
(727) 453-6500

This 3,700-acre nature preserve on Old Tampa Bay was home to at least four prehistoric cultures. Perhaps the most celebrated group was the Weeden Island Culture whose distinctive ornate pottery was first recorded on Weedon Island in 1924 by Jesse Walter Fewkes of the Smithsonian Institution. (The cultural period is spelled differently from the island.) Public programs, guided hikes and exhibits interpret the rich natural, cultural and archaeological history of the preserve.



Anderson-Narváez Mound at Jungle Prada Mound Park
1700 Park Street N, St. Petersburg 33710 Pinellas County
(727) 347-0354

Known as the Anderson-Narváez Site after the 600-man Pánfilo de Narváez expedition that allegedly landed here in 1528, the public portion of the multi-mound site is nestled in a wooded park overlooking Boca Ciega Bay. The private portion, owned by the Anderson Family, is open for educational and cultural events as scheduled on website. Artifacts from the site and information about Tocobaga Indians are on display in the Greenhouse Museum. (Site #    )



The Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science
2201 Michigan Avenue Cocoa, FL 32926                                                                         Brevard County
321-632-1830

Windover Pond, site of one of the world's greatest archaeological finds, is in Brevard County, Florida, near Titusville. Its yield is, causing archaeologists to revise some of the long-accepted theories of early man in North America. Discovered in 1984, the shallow bog pond was the burial ground for more than 200 Native Americans who lived in the area about 7,000 years ago, more than 2,000 years before the first pyramids were built in Egypt. The ancient pond's muck long ago turned to peat, preserving the bones, and to the archaeologists amazement, the brains of these ancient people. The Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science has been designated as the official exhibitor of the Windover story. A simulated dig site has been constructed here that enable the visitor to become a part of these important discoveries. Here art and artifacts combine with great sensitivity to tell the story of a people who lived and died thousands of years ago. And here one can share the unique experiences of those who labored tirelessly for months, unearthing the mysteries of a simple pond and shedding new light on an important segment of Florida's fascinating past.
http://nbbd.com/godo/BrevardMuseum/WindoverPeople/index.html


Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site
Bayshore Drive Palmetto, Florida                                                                   Manatee County

Designated as Florida’s first archaeological monument in 1949, the Madira Bickel temple and burial mound complex reflect native occupations from about 1,700 to 800 years ago. A trail leads to the top of the mound. Archaeological excavations have disclosed at least three periods of Native American cultures, the earliest dating back 2,000 years. (Site #    )
http://www.floridastateparks.org/madirabickelmound/default.cfm



Portavant Temple Mound at Emerson Point Preserve
5801 17th Street W, Palmetto 34221                                                                                        Manatee County
(941) 721-6885

Visit the largest temple mound in the Tampa Bay area, overlooking the scenic Manatee River. Emerson Point Preserve has witnessed extensive human use for over 4500 years. The most striking evidence is the 1200-year old temple mound and surrounding village middens. Interpretive signs describe the lifeways of ancient Indians and Florida pioneers. 8am - sunset daily. (Site #    )




De Soto National Memorial's Street Address:
8300 De Soto Memorial Hwy  Bradenton, Florida 34209                                                   Manatee County

In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting their homelands. De Soto’s quest for glory and gold would be a four year, four thousand mile odyssey of intrigue, warfare, disease, and discovery that would form the history of the United States. (Site #    )





South Florida Museum
210 10th Street W, Bradenton 34205               Manatee County 
(941) 746-4131 

Enjoy the world-renowned Montague Tallant Collection, known as one of the premier collections of Florida aboriginal artifacts dating from the Paleo period to the arrival of the Spanish explorers, including pottery, shell tools, stone, beads, gold, silver and other metals.


Paynes Creek Historic State Park
888 Lake Branch Road Bowling Green, Florida 33834                                         Hardee County
863.375.4717

Within this park is the site of Fort Chokonikla, built in late 1849 as an outpost in a chain of forts established to control the Seminoles. A museum at the visitor center depicts the lives of Florida’s Seminoles and pioneers during the 19th century. Today, nature enthusiasts can enjoy walking along trails through the park’s natural areas, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. During the 1840s, tensions between the settlers and Seminole Indians prompted authorities to establish a trading post in Florida´s interior, away from settlements. Built in early 1849, the post was attacked and destroyed by renegade Indians that summer. In late 1849 Fort Chokonikla was built nearby as the first outpost in a chain of forts established to control the Seminoles. (Site #    )



South Florida State College Museum of Florida Art and Culture,
600 West College Drive, Avon Park 33825                                                                    Highlands County
(863) 382-6900

See exhibits of the prehistory of the Lake Wales Ridge and Kissimmee Valley including the Blueberry Mound site. Also enjoy paintings by Florida artists whose work is an interpretation of Florida’s history, heritage and environments. The archaeology displays include many types of points, stone and shell tools, pottery fragments, and other objects. The archaeological displays include recent discoveries from the Blueberry site in Highlands County. For years the Kissimmee Valley was thought to be a seasonal resource for hunting and gathering by coastal tribes like the Calusa or Ais and not a year ’round home for an indigenous culture. Recent discoveries at sites like the Royce Mound and Blueberry suggest that that is not the case. The Blueberry site in particular, south and east of Lake Placid, has furnished evidence of continuing habitation for hundreds of years. In addition, artifacts found at the site provide strong evidence for a vigorous and ongoing trade relationship with tribes as far away as the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
http://mofac.org/exhibits/permanent/archaeology-of-florida/



Historic Spanish Point
337 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey 34229                                                                                            Sarasota County
 (941) 966-5214

Explore over 5,000 years of human history on this 30-acre National Register site. Features include “A Window to the Past,” a unique exhibition built inside the prehistoric midden, a burial mound with interpretive signage, and an Archaic Period horseshoe shaped midden.
http://historicspanishpoint.org/



Indian Mound Park
210 Winson Avenue, Englewood 34223                                                  Sarasota County
(941) 474-3065

This Sarasota County park, also known as Paulsen Point, was occupied from approximately 1000 BC-1350 AD. Ancient people were attracted by the abundance of seafood, the mainstay of their diet. Groups such as the Manasota Culture created ingenious ways to use natural resources to craft their clothes, tools, vessels and ornaments.



Charlotte County Historical Center
22959 Bayshore Road, Charlotte Harbor 33980                                    Charlotte County
 (941) 629-7278

Discover many stories of the ancient people who fished in the Calusa heartland estuaries thousands of years ago. Enjoy hands-on activities for all ages, educational programs and tours to learn about today’s preservation projects centered at historic Bayshore Live Oak Park on the beautiful Charlotte Harbor waterfront.




Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Hobe Sound, Palm Beach County
772.546.2771

 
Jonathan Dickinson, a Quaker merchant, and his family and crew were shipwrecked near Hobe Sound in 1696 and walked the coast to St. Augustine. Dickinson’s journal describes encounters with Native Americans and Spanish settlers along the coast and provides a detailed historical account of the time period. Portions of the Battle of Loxahatchee, fought during the Second Seminole War, are believed to have been fought within the park. A sign at the park interprets the battle.  During World War II, Camp Murphy, a top-secret radar training school, occupied the land that is now Jonathan Dickinson State Park. More than 1,000 buildings quickly sprang up from the scrub and more than 6,000 personnel were stationed at the camp, which had its own power plants, sewer system, church and theater. Very few locals had any real information about what was going on, only that a secret Army base had been constructed. (Site #    )
http://www.floridastateparks.org/jonathandickinson/default.cfm




Loxahatchee River Battlefield/Riverbend Park
9060 Indiantown Road, Jupiter 33478                                                      Palm Beach County
(561) 966 -6617

Riverbend Park is an oasis of natural beauty located along the Loxahatchee, Florida’s first nationally designated Wild and Scenic River. The park was the site of two historic battles between the Seminole Indians and the U.S. Military in 1838. Riverbend Park has 5 miles of waterways and 15 miles of trails wandering over 700 acres of marsh and subtropical terrain.




The Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum
300 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33410                                      Palm Beach County
(561) 832-4160.

Housed in the historic 1916 Palm Beach County Courthouse, the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum displays artifacts from the Seminoles and the ancient Indians that once inhabited Palm Beach County.  Featured are Seminole artifacts and clothing; a rare cypress woodcarving of a kneeling man, which dates to 900-1200 A.D., and was found in the Pahokee area in 1928; a large conch shell gorget (900-1200 A.D.) recovered from the Pelican Lake Indian Mound near Pahokee; an Archaic Period coral spear head from a previously unknown site along the shore of Lake Okeechobee; and other artifacts.




Calusa Heritage Trail Randell Research Center at Pineland
13810 Waterfront Drive, Pine Island 33945                                                                                            Lee County
(239) 283-2062

This 0.7 mile interpretive path leads to observation platforms for vistas from 30-foot high Calusa mounds and by canals and other features of the Pineland archaeological site. Signs provide information about the Calusa, their environment and the people who have lived at Pineland since the Calusa. Parking, restrooms and a picnic area. 10 am-4 pm daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas.




Museum of History, Fort Myers
2031 Jackson Street, Fort Myers 33901                                                   Lee County
 (239) 321-7430

Discover the first humans who inhabited Southwest Florida from the Paleo-Indians to the Calusa and the Seminoles, at the Southwest Florida Museum of History. Exhibits including dioramas and artifacts highlight the culture, customs, and technology of these tribes along the waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. Authentic replicas of Calusa shell tools, masks, weapons, a Seminole dugout canoe and chickee, are enhanced by extensive interpretive signage and displays of earthenware, jewelry, and more.





Mound House
451 Connecticut Street, Fort Myers Beach                                                                            Lee County
(239) 765-0865

Experience old Florida at Mound House where Estero Island's oldest standing structure sits on an ancient Calusa Indian mound. Through archaeology and history, 2,000 years of island life are revealed in a variety of programs including kayak and boat tours, group programs and volunteer opportunities. The Stories Beneath Our Feet exhibit lets visitors walk inside a Calusa mound to view the layers of the shell and earth used to build the site.




Mound Key Archaeological State Park
Boat accessible only.
Estero Bay, Lee County
(239) 992-0311

Mound Key is believed to have been the ceremonial and political center of the Calusa Indians when the Spaniards first attempted to colonize southwest Florida. Archaeological investigations indicate that Mound Key was occupied at least 2,000 years ago. In 1566, the Spanish governor of Florida established a settlement on the island with a fort and the first Jesuit mission in Spanish Florida. Accessible only by boat, the island features outdoor exhibits that explain the lifeways of the people who built the mounds as well as nature trails to the top of the mounds.




The Collier County Museum
3301 Tamiami Trail East, Naples 34112                                                                     Collier County
(239) 774-8476

Journey back over 10,000 years of Southwest Florida’s unique past to learn about mastodons and fierce saber cats, Calusa and Seminole Indians and the rugged pioneers who settled one of America’s last frontiers. Free admission.




Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
34725 West Boundary Road Clewiston, FL 33440
877-902-1113

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki means a place to learn. We invite you to come to the Big Cypress Reservation and learn about our exciting history and culture. The Museum exhibits and artifacts show how our Seminole ancestors lived in the Florida swamps and Everglades. The Museum film, 'We Seminoles,' tells our story in our own words, including our dramatic struggle to remain in Florida. Nature trails will take you throughout the beautiful 60-acre cypress dome to a living village.
http://www.ahtahthiki.com/







HistoryMiami   (Museum)
101 West Flagler Street   Miami, FL 33130
HistoryMiami is the official repository for all archaeological materials collected by Miami-Dade County and also houses artifacts collected from archaeological sites in Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. The Seminole Indian artifacts include patchwork, dolls, beads, silverwork, basketry and wooden dugout canoes.HistoryMiami’s Object Collection consists of three-dimensional artifacts related to South Florida. The collection contains artifacts ranging from pre-Columbian pieces to contemporary items, such as tools, furniture, boats, aviation materials, clothing, musical instruments and religious objects. The collection includes over 37,000 items, mostly from the twentieth century, and an additional 550 cubic feet of archaeological material. 




Florida Pioneer Museum
826 North Krome Avenue, Florida City 33034                                                       Miami-Dade County
(305) 246-9531

The museum is housed in an original Florida East Coast Railway station agent’s house, built by the railroad company in 1904. On permanent exhibit are displays of artifacts unearthed locally of very early Native Americans who roamed the area as far back as 10,000 years ago to the Seminoles who were here through the area’s pioneer days. Museum is open seasonally, November through May.



Indian Key Historic State Park
Accessible only by boat.
Islamorada, Monroe County
 305.664.2540

In 1840 Chakaika, leader of the “Spanish Indians,” led a raid on the settlement at Indian Key that burned all but one building of this prosperous town, then the county seat of Dade County. Oral traditions of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida assert that some members of their tribe are descendents of Chakaika’s group. The Indian Key town ruins are on display, along with interpretive panels of the town’s history.  (Site #    )



Miami Circle                      
Discovered in the heart of downtown Miami in August/September, 1998, the Miami Circle could be an open air enclosure for a special activity, or for a chief's residence. The Circle was occupied 2,000 years before the Spanish arrived so we have no direct knowledge of its use. The Tequesta chose this site where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay and with the Everglades to the west to build their village. The location gave access to the offshore reefs in the ocean and fish from the river, plus an abundance of plants from the Everglades. With all the resources of food and raw materials for tools, the village became large and occupied both banks of the river. A number of charcoal and bone samples were dated, indicating the site is about 2,000 years old, well before the Calusa Indians reached a comparable level of development. The Miami Circle site was abandoned by 1200 A.D. There were many common Tequesta relics found at the site — tools and perhaps decorative items made from shells and other aquatic materials like shark teeth. There is no visitor center and no public access to this site at this time.




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