Bokeelia | Matlacha | Pineland | St. James City
Pineland, Florida is home to a 200-acre internationally significant archaeological site occupied by the Calusa Indians for over 1,500 years. Their enormous shell mounds overlook the waters of Pine Island Sound, and the remains of many centuries of Indian village life blanket the citrus groves and pastures. Their sand burial mounds still stand beside historical structures representing Florida's early pioneer days. The Pineland Site Complex is listed in the Register of National Historic Places.
In 1994, Donald and Patricia Randell donated 56 acres of the Pineland Site Complex to the Florida Museum of Natural History to establish a center for research and education in Florida's heritage and environment. You can still experience the world of the Calusa on walking tours every Saturday at 10:00 a.m., or on kayak tours to Josslyn Island. For reservations, call the Randell Research Center at 239.283.2062 or write to P.O. Box 608, Pineland, Florida, 33945. |
