Mound Key Archeological State Park
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| Mound Key Archeological State Park / Mound Key Site | |
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| IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape) | |
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| Location | Lee County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | Fort Myers Beach, Florida |
| Coordinates | |
| Area | 113 acres |
| Established | August 12, 1970 |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Mound Key Archeological State Park is a Florida State Park, located in Estero Bay, near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. One hundred and thirteen of the island's one hundred and twenty-five acres are managed by the park system.
The Mound Key Site on the island was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on August 12, 1970. The island is only accessible by boat, from the Koreshan State Historic Site or Lovers Key State Park.
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[edit] History
Mound Key was created over 2,000 years ago by the Calusa. It served for many years as the ceremonial center for their kingdom, which extended over numerous shell midden islands they made up and down the southwest coast of Florida. It is also believed by most researchers to have been the site of Calos, the capital of their kingdom.[1]
The arrival of the Spanish was the beginning of the end for the Calusa. In 1566, the appointment of Spain's first Governor of Florida happened on the island. This was closely followed by the establishment there of a fort and settlement, in an effort to colonize the area. A Jesuit mission was also founded there at the same time by Juan Rogel, a priest of that order. Called San Antonio de Carlos, it was the first such mission in the Spanish New World. There was frequent conflict with the Calusa, though, and eventually the island was abandoned by the Spanish in 1569.
In subsequent years, the island was used and sometimes inhabited by pirates, fishermen (Cuban, Portuguese and Spanish), and American pioneers, among others.
In 1894, the followers of a scientific/religious belief system known as Koreshanity arrived in the area. The built a community based on their utopian ideas, growing over the next two decades. During this time, part of the property they acquired included most of the parcels on Mound Key.
After the death of their leader, Cyrus Teed, in 1908, their numbers declined. In 1961, the remaining Koreshans decided to give over ownership of the key, as well as other land in nearby Estero, to the state. It was used to form the park, which is administered by the Koreshan State Historic Site. Approximately nine acres still remain privately owned by the McGee family.
[edit] Recreational Activities
The park has such amenities as boating, fishing, wildlife viewing and interpretive exhibits. Nature trails and information kiosks are being developed, and no restroom facilities are available at the park.
[edit] References and external links
- Lee County listings at National Register of Historic Places
- Lee County listings at Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs
- Mound Key Archeological State Park at Florida State Parks
- Mound Key Archeological State Park at Wildernet
- Estero Historical Society
- Prehistoric Times - Early Human Life in Coastal Southwest Florida
- The History of Ft. Myers Beach
- Calusa Indian Art
- Calusa Indian site pictures
- Mound Key State Archaeological Site
- Mound Key Video Clips
- Mound Key Archeological State Park is at coordinates Coordinates:
