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Mound Park at "Englewood, Florida"

Continuing our quest to experience Aboriginal, Indigenous honoring sites across The Land of Flowers, we left “Sarasota” and headed to the “City of Englewood” which is about 25 miles away. We wanted to see the area where First Nation People people lived for thousands of years. Their village is believed to have been located between “Indian Mound Park” (also known as “Paulsen Point”) and the “Englewood Burial Mound” which at that time was 110 feet wide by 13 feet tall. Most likely, they were attracted by natural resources on the land and abundance provided in “Lemon” Bay with definite access to the Gulf of Mexico.

The “site” and surrounding center originally extended down “Lemon Bay” to where the burial mound possibly stood. Reportedly, excavation in 1934 uncovered 263 sacred burials and many artifacts bearing distinct markings made of clay tempered with vegetable fiber and hand molded; later on, pottery was tempered and coiled using quartz sand. Also, it is said that during the 1960s, artifacts found included quartz points and arrowheads which showed trade for stone from as far away as “Georgia”; and a copper bead adornment indicated contact with northern “Florida” or beyond. Much of the site was leveled during excavations and dredging; however, significant remnants of mounds are preserved within the 10-acre “park” located in “Englewood” that also hosts interpretive signage, nature trails, and recreational activities.

Arriving at the mound “park” on a warm summer day at around 6:30 PM, we paused to experience a few moments of beauty and peacefulness, enjoying panoramic views of “Lemon Bay” under cloudy blue-gray afternoon skies. Relaxing sounds of waves rushing the shoreline and birds cheerfully singing added a wonderful ambiance to the moment. We observed lots of shells, shell fragments, various odd rocks, seaweed and grasses scattered along the sandy shore and in the clear bay water.

We were attracted to an interesting looking mangrove tree leaning on the shoreline with sturdy roots clinging to an elevated area that resembled a small mound. And we saw two mangrove islands located further out in the bay. Naturally, we like seeing mangrove trees with their amazing root systems that help prevent erosion by stabilizing shorelines. In fact, there are more than 50 species of mangroves worldwide; however, only red, black, and white mangroves are found in “Florida”. The most well-known is called “the walking tree” or red mangrove with its stilt roots that project above the mud and water helping the plant to absorb oxygen and grow laterally, walking seaward into deeper waters. Usually red mangroves are found closer to the water’s edge than black and white ones. Thank goodness for coastal mangroves—they are said to be one of our true native plants!

Other seashore plants were thriving along the shoreline. For instance, we noted some salt tolerant seagrape bushes which are known to grow well in coastal sandy soil and are identified by their thick, circular broad leaves producing fruit that look like grapes. These clusters do not ripen all at once, so you have to wait for green ones to ripen and eat them raw or make jelly, syrup, juice or wine. Keep in mind that many birds and mammals also consume these grapes; thus, timing on your part is necessary to secure ripened fruit—and from the looks of it, we missed the best seagrape “picking”.

We left the shoreline and went to the walking trail heading toward the elevated terrain of the mound. Along the upward path, we noted the ground was covered with dried leaves, palmetto fronds and other natural debris. We observed various grasses, shrubs and trees, as well as random clumps of hanging moss. Historians record that Indigenous People had many uses for moss which included making clay, based on 3,000-year old pottery artifacts. It feels so good to recall the ingenuity of our Ancestors as we embrace this natural environment.

Also, we noticed the fan-shaped leaves and distinctive trunks of sabal palms, also called cabbage palms, which we know have value as food, medicine and other uses. As food, we’ve heard that when boiled, heart of palm tastes like cabbage. Sadly, the tree does not survive harvesting the heart; however, many people still make dishes like ‘hearts of palm salad’ and ‘swamp cabbage.’ As a reminder, it is wise to ensure accurate identification of any plants before consuming them. Furthermore, some records indicate that “Seminoles” made bread with dried fruit and used seeds and berries for headaches and fevers; and early inhabitants made homes with cabbage palm logs and used leaves to thatch roofs and walls.

Continuing up the trail, our eyes focused on sprawling branches of large oak trees located at the top of the mound and surrounded by so many other trees and shrubs like marlberry and wild coffee. Plus, we were delighted to see even more of those tall, lanky palm trees with large leaves that added beauty to the overhead canopy being displayed by unique poses of many ancient oaks. We relished being in the presence of these majestic survivors.

When we arrived at the top, the path veered over the mound ridge and continued downward offering distant views of the bay below. The declining terrain on this trail was covered with white sand, stones, and many shell fragments, as well as the same seashore plants and vegetation previously described.

Glancing upward from the shoreline, we are thankful that the remaining portion of this venerable mound site is quite well-preserved and thriving with natural abundance. We can easily envision when it served a viable purpose within a large village complex that was filled to capacity with joyous and highly industrious Aboriginal People. What a refreshing thought and prideful remembrance to cherish.

With completion of another journey to honor the legacy of First Nation People in The Land of Flowers, we sincerely hope you enjoyed sharing our experience enough to go out and create your own memories by walking and experiencing this valuable mound site.