Twelve
thousand years ago, Paleoindians, continuing their southern migration
through the North American continent, entered the peninsula of Florida.
One interesting feature of these early inhabitants was their
construction of large earthen or shell mounds, some for ceremonial or
spiritual purposes. Others were simply large collections of shells and
other debris. Numerous mounds dotted the landscape around the Tampa Bay
area, including one exceptionally tall one that stood on what would
become the southern edge of Fort Brooke, located near today’s hockey
arena.
With the passage of centuries, these "First Floridians" formed
separate groups or tribes. The two largest were the Timucua, living in
the northern parts of Florida, and the Calusa, covering the southern
parts. A smaller group, the Mocoso, lived on Hillsborough Bay between
the Hillsborough River and the Alafia River. Their territory included
what is now downtown Tampa.
Other small groups, including the Tocobaga and the Pohoy, lived
along Old Tampa Bay.Florida's first people lived in a natural paradise.
They utilized the Gulf of Mexico for their supply of food and were
accomplished seamen.
The Timucua and the Calusa frequently fought over territory, and it
is likely that the area between the northern coast of Tampa Bay and
Manatee County was disputed land.
During the late 1600s and early 1700s, the tribes of north Florida,
including the natives of Tampa Bay were decimated by European diseases
such as measles, smallpox, and influenza, as well as by warfare and
slaving raids.
Photo by Michael Piazza 2016
