Calusa Indians

Archaeologists have proven that Ortona Indian Mound Park in Glades County is one of the most significant prehistoric sites in Florida, dating back to 400 A.D. Yet remaining evidence of the area’s ancient civilization is fading due to time and a lack of attention. What will it take for this site to be further protected?

The annual Sugarcane Grinding Festival in Glades County continues to celebrate pioneer life while inadvertently protecting what remains of the land's indigenous heritage. Explore Ortona Indian Mound Park today and hear the community's hopes for honoring both the site’s ancient significance and preserving more recent agricultural history.

In episode two of “Forgotten Park," dive deep into the traditions rooted in Glades County's annual Cane Grinding Festival, and uncover the legacy of Larry R. Luckey and the surprising archaeological revelations tied to Ortona Indian Mound Park.

A park in Glades County, Florida holds evidence of a crucial archaeological discovery that’s been remarkably preserved in an atypical way—an annual celebration of sugar cane grinding. 'Forgotten Park,' a WGCU radio series by Tara Calligan delves into the history of native and pioneer Glades County, Florida. Episode one takes us deep into the heart of Glades County.

Florida celebrates Archaeology Month in March. This month Southwest Florida is finally recognizing some monumental discoveries that originally were revealed in early 2020, but were overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Calusa Coast events have been celebrated each weekend by the Randell Research Center in Pine Island, Koreshan State Park in Estero, Lover's Key State Park and the Mound House on Fort Myers Beach, the Marco Island Historical Society, and at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in Fort Myers.

In recognition of March being designated Florida Archaeology Month, we’re listening back to a conversation with archeologist William Marquardt, Ph.D., about his findings published in the journal “Historical Archeology,” confirming the existence of Spanish fort built on Mound Key in Estero Bay in 1566. Mound Key was the capitol of the Calusa Native American tribe which dominated the region and had occupied Southwest Florida for more than 1,000 years at that time.

Southwest Florida singer/songwriter Sheena Brook plays live in studio ahead of her performance at the first, “Music on the Mound,” concert at the Mound…

Florida’s Public Archaeological Network archaeologist Rachael Kangas surveyed the damage Irma caused to Otter Mound Preserve — 2 acres of land that was…

Dr. William H. Marquardt was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the Southeastern Archeological Conference for his "significant and sustained…

The Tamiami Trail refers to the southernmost 264 mile portion of U.S. Highway 41 stretching from Tampa to Miami. Construction of the east-west portion of…