History & Culture

An African American family in the Everglades in 1929.
African Americans in the Everglades

In the early 20th century, African Americans lived and worked in the Flamingo and Cape Sable areas of what would later become the Park.

Nike Hercules Missiles on missile launcher in South Florida.
Nike Missile Site HM-69

Everglades National Park houses one of the best-preserved relics of the Cold War in Florida, a historic Nike Hercules missile site.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas sitting in a chair and is holding a book.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Through her writing, Douglas helped spark the movement that rallied people to protect Everglades National Park.

 

Water in south Florida once flowed freely from the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee and southward over low-lying lands to the estuaries of Biscayne Bay, the Ten Thousand Islands, and Florida Bay. This shallow, slow-moving sheet of water covered almost 11,000 square miles, creating a mosaic of ponds, sloughs, sawgrass marshes, hardwood hammock, and forested uplands. For thousands of years this intricate system evolved into a finely balanced ecosystem that formed the biological infrastructure for the southern half of the state. However, to early colonial settlers and developers the Everglades were potential farm land and communities. By the early 1900s', the drainage process to transform wetland to land ready to be developed was underway. The results would be severely damaging to the ecosystem and the species it supported.

With the support of many early conservationists, scientists, and other advocates, Everglades National Park was established in 1947 to conserve the natural landscape and prevent further degradation of its land, plants, and animals. Although the captivation of the Everglades has mostly stemmed from its unique ecosystem, an alluring human story of the Everglades is deeply interwoven with its endless marshes, dense mangroves, towering palms, alligator holes, and tropical fauna. Various groups and people navigated through and wrestled with the watery landscape to make it home, and even to exploit its natural wonder at times. On these pages you can discover more about the Native Americans that existed and thrived; the agricultural development and drainage of the Everglades; the people and groups who advocated for the conservation of the area; the Everglades’ role in United States War efforts; the preservation and restoration work that continues today; and much more.

 
Florida Seminoles make a dugout canoe
People

Although known for its vast natural landscapes, the Everglades have been home and hunting grounds for many people.

A postcard image of the historic Royal Palm Lodge, which is no longer.
Places

Learn about some of the historic places that reflect the history, present and future of Everglades National Park.

An image from the 1960s of the entrance to Everglades National Park.
Collections

Everglades National Park's museum collection consists of over 2.8 million objects, archival documents and photographs, and specimens.

A large crowed sitting on a field during the dedication of Everglades National Park.
Preservation

Before the Everglades was established as a National Park, the conservation movement inspired some protection of the area’s fauna.

Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 705 was on a Boeing 720 jet.
Remembering Northwest Orient Flight 705

Throughout the 20th century, the increased use of aviation in South Florida has resulted in a significant number of aircraft lost.

 

Last updated: February 6, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

40001 State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733

Phone:

305 242-7700

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