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10,000 BCE
First people arrive in Florida
The state, twice its modern size because of water locked in ice, is drier, cooler, and roamed by now-extinct animals such as mastodons and saber-toothed cats. -
Period: 8000 BCE to 3000 BCE
The climate changes
The climate warms and the glaciers melt, causing the seal levels to rise. -
2000 BCE
First pottery appears
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1000 BCE
Domesticated Plants appear
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Period: 700 to
Mound Builders
Mississippian culture in present-day southern United States and Mississippi Valley area build large mounds for burial, while others serve as foundations for temples or for the houses of city officials. -
Period: 1492 to 1502
A new world
Christopher Columbus makes four voyages to the new world -
Apr 2, 1513
La Florida
Juan Ponce de Leon lands on Florida's north Atlantic coast on Easter Sunday and names the land "Pascua Florida," meaning "Feast of Flowers. He explores the south ass far as Miami. Native populations are estimated at 100,000. -
1521
Ponce De Leon dies
Ponce De Leon is struck down by an Indian arrow in southwest Florida and dies from his injuries in Cuba. -
1528
Narvaez
Panfilo De Narvaez lands near Tampa Bay with more than 300 men and 42 horses. Most of the men perish, but four survive. -
1545
La Florida begins to appear on Spanish maps
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1549
A lost boy
Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda lived with Florida Natives for 17 years, after becoming shipwrecked. He was 13 years old. Most of what is known about the Calusa is from Fontaneda's memoir. He was rescued by Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1566. -
May 1, 1562
The French
Jean Ribault lands with 150 French settlers in three ships at the St. John's River on Florida's north Atlantic Coast. He claimed the land for France, but continued north and established a colony in modern-day South Carolina. -
1564
French Failure
Huguenots (French Protestants) attempt to establish a colony near the St. John's River. It ultimately fails, due to food shortages, clashes with the Timucuan Indians, and an attack from the Spanish led by Aviles (1565). The French would not attempt any more colonies in Florida. -
Native Americans are disappearing
Native population is estimated to be around 25,000. This is 75,000 less than the 100,000 estimated at the arrival of Ponce De Leon in 1513. -
War of Spanish Succession
The British defeat Spanish troops, which allows Yanno Indians (North Carolina) and Creek Indians to move into Florida. -
The end of the Calusa
By this time, the Calusa cease to exist in Florida. Most of them were killed off by European diseases. It is believed the few remaining were either absorbed into other tribes or moved to Cuba with the Spanish. -
Treaty of Paris
Marking the end of the Seven Years War, Florida is ceded to Britain, by Spain, in exchange for Cuba. Britain divided Florida into two territories; East and West Florida. -
Caxambas
Caxymbas Espanolas is marked on the William Gerhard DeBrahams map of Southern Florida. The "well" at Caxambas were probably springs or shallow depressions on beach sand that yielded surface drinking water. -
Period: to
American Independence
The American Revolution, also known as the Revolutionary War was the result of the growing tensions between the 13 British colonies in North America and the British crown. The colonies ultimately won the war, which gave them political independence from Britain and would ultimately lead to the United States of America. -
Period: to
Florida becomes apart of the United States
1793 - The United States acquires the upper half of West Florida from Spain.
1810 - U.S. acquires the rest of West Florida from Spain
1819 U.S. acquires Florida by agree to pay Spanish indemnities of $5 million to American Citizens for property damages.
1821 - Spain formally transfers Florida to the United States.
- Andrew Jackson is Governor
- St. Johns County forms. -
Florida becomes a territory.
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The railroad arrives in Florida
Construction on the first railroad in Florida began in 1834. Upon completion, mule-drawn carts of cotton were pulled from Tallahassee to Port Leon.
Two years later, Florida first steam-powered railroad by way of the Lake Wimico and St. Joseph Canal and Railroad. It serviced Port St. Joe. -
Monroe County forms
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Florida becomes a state
Has a Democratic Governor - population is approximately 66,000 -
Period: to
The Civil War
1860 - Abraham Lincoln is elected President; Florida's population is approximately 140,000 of which nearly 45% is black; The state legislature meets and appropriates $100,000 for troops.
1861 - Florida withdraws from the Union
1865 - Tallahassee is the last capital east of the Mississippi River to fall. Reconstruction begins. -
Period: to
Reconstruction Era
Following the end of the Civil War, radical Republicans ushered in a 12 year period where an attempt was made to create social and political equality.
- Laws were enacted providing for free schools, enlightened criminal codes, and protection for workers.
In 1877, as part of an election compromise, President Rutherford B. Hayes removed US troops from the south. Thus ending the Reconstruction Era. During reconstruction, 23 blacks had been elected to public office. -
James M. Barfield is born
James Madison Barfield, a Marco Island pioneer, was born in Sunnyside, GA. -
W.T. Collier arrives in Marco
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W.D. Collier builds the Marco Island Inn
Son of W.T. Collier, William David Collier, or Captain Bill, as he was known, builds the Marco Island Inn. -
Buoys in Marco
Lighthouse Inspector at Pensacola announces that the lighthouse board has approved placing buoys in Marco channel.
H.B. Plan railroad reaches Tampa. -
Lee County
A new county is formed. It was carved out of Monroe County. -
Arrival of Benjamin H. Barfield
Brother of James Barfield, Benjamin Barfield arrives in Caxambas. -
Period: to
Citrus on the move
Because of severe cold weather, the citrus belt has to move southward. -
Palm Cottage is built
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Key Marco excavation
Frank Hamilton Cushing and a crew come to Key Marco to excavate near the Old Marco Inn. They discover a treasure-trove of Calusa artifact. These items were protected by the anaerobic muck in which they were buried. Henry Flagler extends the railroad to Miami. -
Captain Collier's sons drown
Captain Bill Collier takes his three small sons on a business trip to Key West on the schooner Speedwell. The three sons drown when the boat capsizes in a storm. -
Rev. Gatewood
The Reverend Gatewood delivers his first sermon at the first church on Marco. -
Tommie Barfield
Born July 20, 1888 in Cordelle, GA, as Tommie Camilla Stephens, she arrives in Caxambas in 1901. She marries James Barfield on July 31, 1906 in Homosassa, FL. She becomes instrumental in the development of Marco and the Collier County School System. Eventually, she would serve as the first Superintendent of Schools. -
Elmer S. Burnham Cannery opens
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James Barfield's Mercantile Store Opens
Located in Caxambas it also served as a post office. -
Heights Hotel opens in Caxambas
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Doxsee Cannery opens
J.H. Doxsee came from a clamming family who also owned a cannery in Islip, Long Island. The Doxsee Cannery closed in 1947 after over harvesting depletes the clam beds. -
Road to Marco
Lee County builds a narrow shell road to Marco.Tommie Barfield begins a one-car ferry that operates until 1929 whe she succeeded in replacing it with a four-car ferry. -
Period: to
Change is coming
Wartime training centers in Florida lead to a post war boom.
15 automobiles were on Marco Island, with only five miles of raod.
Florida population reaches one million.
The Barfields sell the Heights Hotel to Barron Collier and move to Caxambas. Tommie Barfield becomes and agent for Barron Collier. -
Barron Gift Collier
By 1922 Barron Collier has purchased most of Marco Island. -
Government and Schools
Tommie Barfield is named the first Superintendent of Public Education; J.H. Doxsee is named Chairman of the School Board; Jim Barfield and Bill Collier were named to the five-member Collier County Commission. -
Collier County
Tommie Barfield is credited for the creation of Collier County after appearing before legislators to speak on behalf of Bill 305. Two months later, on July 8, Collier County is established with Everglade as the county seat. -
Atlantic Coast Line
The Atlantic Coast Line Railway begins to pick up clams in Marco from the J.H. Doxsee and E.S. Burnham canneries. It runs as many as two trips a day to the island until 1942, when depleted clam beds causes it to reduce service. By 1944, the train had stopped coming to the island. -
The Tamiami Trail
After years of delays, the Tamiami Trail, which connected Tampa to Miami was finally completed and opened for travel. To assist travelers, Barron Collier establishes the Southwest Florida Mounted police, who live in two-story way stations located every 10 miles along the trail. -
Period: to
Bridges
The Goodland swig bridge (#120) is one of Florida's last manually operated swing bridges. It is foot operated. An 80lb key is inserted into a turntable mechanism. Then the bridge tender walks around 20 times to open the bridge span. After the boat passes through, the bridge tender pushes the crank in the opposite direction to close the span. It could take up to 10 minutes to complete. The Marco Pass Bridge opens Dec. 13, 1969. The toll was $.40. The new bridge to Goodland opened in 1975. -
1930
-The Barfield Family buys the Marco Lodge and opens it as a small hotel in Old Marco.
-The railroad bridge, crossing from Bear Point to Marco Island, is abandoned.
-Deaconess Harriet Bedell comes to Florida at age of 60 after a career of missionary work in Oklahoma and Alaska for the Episcopal church. -
The passing of a legend
Captain William "Bill" Collier, a Marco Island pioneer, dies in Fort Myers. -
Old Marco Church of God is Constructed
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Barron Collier dies
After taking ill in his Useppa home and being rushed to New York City, Barron Collier dies. -
James Barfield resigns
James Barfield resigns from Collier county Board of Commissioners. The Commissioners pass a resolution in tribute on Dec. 6, 1941. -
Death of a Marco Great
Tommie Camilla Stephens Barfield, a Marco pioneer, dies. -
Hurricane Donna
A devastating hurricane, Donna reached category 4 status. It destroyed Everglades City and severely damaged all of Collier County, causing millions of dollars in damage. However, the money brought into Collier County for the recovery effort revitalized the area. -
The Deltona Corporation
After purchasing most of Marco Island from the Collier family, th Deltona Corporation has a master pan for Marco. By 1965 the Island has 10 inland and 12 waterfront model homes, a 50-room beachfront hotel, has the first nine of a planned 18-hole golf course, and a yacht club. The Marco Beach Hotel opens in 1965. -
St. Mark's Episcopal
The church opens its doors with more than 100 worshippers attending. -
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church of Marco Island begins service. -
Mackle Brothers
Both Frank Mackle, Jr. and Frank Mackle, III resign from the Deltona Corporation. Mackle, Jr. dies in 1993 at the age of 77. -
Horr's Island
Archaeological research is conducted on four important mounds at Horr's Island. Animal and human remains are carbon dated, revealing the Island was occupied 2800 to 1600 BC. -
Key Marco Cat returns
Thanks, in part, to the effort of the Marco Island Historical Society, the famous Key Marco Cat and other artifacts discovered during the Cushing dig returned to southwest Florida. It was on display at the Collier County Museum in Naples. -
Marco Island Historical Society
Originally founded as a branch of the Collier County Historical Society, the Marco Island Historical Society forms. -
City of Marco Island
The City is Marco Island is formed on this day. -
Key Marco Cat returns (again)
Sponsored by the Marco Island Historical Society, the Marco Island Eagle, and the Citizens' Community Bank, the Key Marco Cat once again returns to southwest Florida. This time it is on display at the Citizens' Community Bank on Marco Island. -
Marco Island Historical Museum opens
