Most of the objects recovered were determined to have been obtained from trade. The Spanish had little contact with the highly independent Calusa, who resisted any settlements in southwest Florida. The Goodnow mound was very far from any Spanish settlements. Because of the isolated location, the only way for the Indians to obtain trade objects found here would have been through Spanish fishermen who had been trading in southwest Florida since the early 1500's.
Object recovered: Many glass beads of different varieties, and metal beads. Fragments from a mirror, glass bottle fragments, bells, a brass button, silver chain, and many other pieces of silver and copper jewelry. Even a few iron axes. These items put the date of habitation of the mound at the early Spanish contact period, no later than 1700, and definitely around the 1660's. It was determined that the mound was used by the Calusa from about 1200 A.D. to 1700.
The most interesting objects found were silver pendants and ceremonial objects. It is thought that the silver used to make these items were obtained from shipwrecks. The Spanish usually wouldn't let the Indians have silver or gold.
Other objects included a fish pendant, probably of a freshwater bass that is common in the area. A silver pendant of a water spider that has baffled the archaeologists for years that is used by the Florida Anthropological Society as their trademark on all their publications.
This mound is not open to the public.
There were many Seminole villages around the lakes and Kissimmee River in this county. Lake Istokpogo, which translates to "dead man's lake," was one area where there were villages. It is said that it got its name when a canoe load of Seminoles drowned while trapped in a storm.
Fort Basinger was a supply depot established by Colonel Zachary Taylor on the Kissimmee River during the Second Seminole war. After the Battle of Lake Okeechobee, the wounded soldiers were brought here.
Historical Marker at the site of Fort Basinger. Named after one of the officers killed with Major Dade's Command.
Fort Kissimmee was established in 1852. The remains of the military cemetery at Fort Kissimmee are still visible on the Avon Park Bombing Range along the Kissimmee River. It is a long way from anywhere, and the only way to see it is to hike the Kissimmee River section of the Florida trail, following 30 miles of Florida wilderness. This is one of the few active military installations that include the site of a former Second Seminole War fort.
Site of Chipco's village, Lake Hamilton:
A roadside marker along hwy. 27 by Lake Hamilton commemorates the site of Chupco or Chipco, Seminole Chief who resisted removal and had his village here in the 1880s.
Museum of Florida Art and Culture, Avon Park:
I have not been to this one yet, so if anyone has a report, let me know.
Exhibits cover local cultures before the arrival of the Europeans and
some information on archaeological sites.
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© 1998, 2001, 2002 Chris Kimball
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from the author.