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Glades
County Page
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Glades
County Historical Society |
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Moore Haven, Donations have helped this society to
acquire a building that can be used as an office for collecting donations,
and for attracting residents and visitors who can help to preserve
the character of this quiet lakeside haven. Currently they are helping
to restore two historic buildings in town. PO Box 806, Moore Haven,
FL 33471 |
Ortona
Cemetery |
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Along
SR 78 just east of Ortona; This is an historic cemetery somewhat associated
with the ancient mound site; it is reported that some local people
continue to use this general area as a cemetery. This cemetery
is not in Glades County but is relevant to its history
geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/
6173/cemortonaa-f |
Floraglades
Foundation |
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This foundation was established to manage lands in Glades County in
perpetuity. Interested people can visit this website to learn more
about the goals of the foundation, which has over 200 acres of lands
containing native vegetation and fauna. Also, this group is actively
trying to establish a museum in the area
http://www.floraglades.org/ |
Fisheating
Creek Camp |
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This
is the site for the public access campsite at the lands owned by the
state along US 27, and managed by US Fish and Wildlife (whose office
is accessible by 78, and from which you can get to the Fort Center
site, via Banana Grove Road). Nominal fees are required for camping
and for rental of canoes and kayaks. The water is very low now, and
you should check ahead to see if paddling will be possible.”
www.fisheatingcreekcamp.com |
Elementary
Schools |
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While
there are only a few schools here (two elementary and one high school),
Glades County schools seem very committed to teaching their students
about heritage and history in their area. Students seem very aware
of the pioneer past, and very interested in learning about Native
American history, including the local Seminole culture and history.
West Glades school in particular seems committed to teaching students
about Florida’s past. |
Glades
Historic Society |
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This
group is interested in raising funds to purchase historic buildings
in the downtown area (including the
historic arcade building). An architectural survey was done here in
1993, but more support is needed to promote preservation and rehabilitation
of the buildings here. P.O. Box 10 Moore Haven 33471-0100 |
Fort
Center |
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You
can visit this amazing site using maps provided by US Fish and Wildlife
at their offices on Highway 78 at Banana Grove Road, south of Moore
Haven.. This site later was called Fort Center since a fort was placed
here by the US Army, and was used to track Seminole Indians who remained
in the area in the late nineteenth century. |
Moore
Haven |
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This
is now the county seat for Glades. A wide canal presumably constructed
by the Calusa still can be found here near where the public library
lies along the Caloosahatchee. That canal since was widened (by crews
led by Hamilton Disston in the 1880s) to connect the river to Lake
Okeechobee.
Moore Haven has the distinction of having the first elected woman
mayor in the United States! Marian O’Brien spearheaded many
important projects for the town in the early twentieth century. One
project involved constructing a rail line running from Moore Haven
to Clewiston. The 15 mile long rail was widely celebrated in the region.
In 1926, a very damaging hurricane came to the town, and a waterline
from this event still can be seen along the county courthouse, just
below its second story windows. |
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Thanks
to M. C. Bob Leonard, Professor of History, Hillsborough Community
College for information from unofficial websites. |
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