 |
 |
Florida
Public Archaeology Network
| |
Lee
County
Page 5 of 6 |
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
Tarpon
Lodge |
• |
(Pineland)
- Built in 1926, this waterfront inn and restaurant has several rooms
and an additional building for overflow. This building has housed
many things through time, including a lodge called the Pine-Aire Lodge,
as well as a substance rehabilitation program. Live music is here
most nights, and boat slips are available. This is right across from
the Calsua Heritage Trail on Waterfront Drive in Pineland, on Pine
Island, so many visitors enjoy lunch and then see the site (doing
the reverse may be even more popular!). The Tarpon Lodge owners and
staff are great supporters of the Florida Public Archaeology Network.
www.
tarponlodge.com |
Williams
Academy Black History Museum |
• |
1936
Henderson Avenue, Fort Myers 33916, Located in Clemente Park, 239-332-8778,
This museum is a 1942 addition to the original Williams Academy, which
was the first government funded school for black students that was
built in 1913. The museum contains information on local African-Americans,
as well as history, memorabilia, photography, and other information.
It is named after J.S. Williams, the first Superintendent of Colored
Schools. The Tillis family was the first black family
to settle in Fort Myers, in 1867 (Nelson Tillis was black and Cherokee,
and his wife was white). At first, the family was accepted
by whites in the area. Soon however, the Tillis children were not
allowed to attend school, and Nelson had a hard time finding work.
This is among the many stories related at this small museum. Important
accounts of achievements by members of the black community also are
presented here. A separate building housing artifacts from Africa
also is present. This museum is managed by the Lee County Black History
Society, Inc., which often presents programs of general interest to
the public. A display on the Negro Baseball League will be here in
May. |
Lee
County Environmental Education |
• |
This
program is part of Lee County, and historically it has been involved
with exposing students to the natural environment (such as Six Mile
Cypress Slough, or the mudflats). Staff at the office provide transportation
for field trips arranged through them, and visits to the Calusa Heritage
Trail have been part of that history (beginning back in the 1990s
when excavations were underway, and going to the present day, when
the trail is the main attraction). http://www.lee.k12.fl.us/dept/ee/ |
NationalTrust.org |
• |
This
site describes recent preservation efforts in lee County by Christian
Busk, who moves and then restores historic structures. Most of these
have been in Bonita Springs; however one, known as the Haldeman House
once was formerly located in Naples. It since as been moved to Lee
County as a result of Naples decisions to develop on the original
site.
nationaltrust.org/magazine/
archives/arch_story/111706.htm |
Mound
Key Archaeological State Park |
• |
Home
to Mound Key, presumed to be the main town of the Calusa Indians at
initial Spanish contact in 1513; accessible only by boat.
This site is thought to be the site of the original Calos, thought
to be the capital of the Calusa when the Spanish first arrived in
the 1500s. This is assumed since the island is roughly 2 days sail
from Havana, and Spanish and Calusa artifacts all have been found
at the site. Mound Key also was home to two missions among the Calusa;
Jesuits and Franciscans all tried their best to convert the Calusa,
with few known successes. Some interpretive signs exist at the site,
and a boardwalk has been mentioned as a way to allow visitors to safely
see the location without causing damage to the fragile site. If you
do visit, tread lightly and please stay on trails. floridastateparks.org/moundkey/default |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Back to Page 4
|
Go to Page 6 |
| |
|
|
| |
Thanks
to M. C. Bob Leonard, Professor of History, Hillsborough Community
College for information from unofficial websites. |
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
