Timeline of Historic Events

2500 BCE

Glades People move into South Florida

1513

Spanish explorer Juan Ponce De Leon makes first contact with American Indians in Florida

1819

Spain cedes Florida territory to the US for $5 million

1845

Florida becomes the 27th US state

1916

Organic Act establishing the National Park Service is enacted by Congress

1918

US-41 (Tamiami Trail) breaks ground connecting East and West Florida

1921

Town of Pinecrest, along Loop Road breaks ground with plans of it being the "next Miami," but never fully realized

1928

On April 26, US-41 officially opened

1928

Ernest F. Coe drafted a proposal to Senator Duncan Fletcher, and Congresswoman Ruth Bryan Owen introduced legislation for Everglades National Park, which included today's Big Cypress National Preserve

1936

Located at today's Monument Lake Campground, a Seminole conference, attended by approximately 275 Seminole Indians, Florida governor and other dignitaries met to discuss how the federal government could assist during the Great Depression, which they declined and asked to be left alone

1940s-1950s

The land within the national preserve's boundaries was heavily logged for its durable and rot-resistant cypress wood to be used for everything from the hulls of military vessels to bridges and railroad ties.

1947

Marjorie Stoneman Douglas publishes Everglades: River of Grass, advocating for Everglades preservation

1947

Everglades National Park is established, minus the land comprised of today's Big Cypress National Preserve

1968

Everglades jetport breaks ground with plans of being the largest international airport in the world

1969

Leopold-Marshall Report officially released regarding the environmental impacts of the Everglades Jetport. Construction was subsequently halted after the first of six runways was completed, in 1970.

1970

Environmentalist Nathaniel Reed, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, and others advocate for establishment of Big Cypress National Preserve

1971

On November 23, President Richard Nixon releases a statement proposing the federal acquisition of the Big Cypress Swamp for a national reserve

1973

Big Cypress Conservation Act (Florida Statute 380.055) is passed by the House and Senate

1974

Congress passed bill and sent it to President Richard Nixon, authorizing the federal government to purchase Big Cypress National Preserve for $150 million.

1974

October 11, Big Cypress National Preserve is Established (Public Law 93-440), becoming America's first national preserve, through the leadership of President Gerald Ford

1988

Big Cypress National Preserve Addition Act (Public Law 100-301), adding roughly 146,000 acres to the national preserve

1991

General Management Plan for the "original preserve" Final.

2000

Comprehensive Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan implemented

2002

Long Range Interpretive Plan implemented

2010

Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center dedicated

2010

Cooperative Partnership Agreement between Big Cypress National Preserve and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission finalized.

2011

General Management Plan for the "addition" Final.

2014

On September 12, Wilderness Eligibility Assessment initiated for Big Cypress National Preserve General Management Plan for the "addition."

2014

On October 5, Big Cypress National Preserve celebrates its 40th birthday (October 11, 1974).

Last updated: May 4, 2020

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33100 Tamiami Trail East
Ochopee, FL 34141

Phone:

239 695-2000

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