MIAMI: FROM STONE CIRLES TO HIGH RISES
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Tequesta Indians lived close to Biscayne Bay and the Miami River near what is present day Miami. They were mainly hunters and gathers living off the coastal fish and shellfish and gathering wild plants, nuts, and berries. The Tequesta all but vanished due to war and disease following the arrival of the Europeans in the 1500s. | |
| In 1998 during excavations for a new high rise, a stone circle was found on the bank of the Miami River. Scientists believe that the circle was created by Tequesta Indians and site artifacts indicate that humans lived on both sides of the river for some 2,000 years. Read more about the Tequesta Indians at the online exhibit "First Arrivals" at the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. |
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Ponce de Leon was the first to encounter the Miami River Tequesta during his 1913 expedition to "La Florida." In 1566, Pedro Menendez de Aviles and his men attempted to build a mission and establish a garrison near the site. The mission was abandoned after fighting broke out with the Indians. In 1743, the Spanish again attempted to establish a mission. It too failed. | |
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For many years, very few people lived in the area of south-eastern Florida. Although the weather and climate were generally mild, much of the land just beyond the coast was swampy. Mosquitoes spread disease to people and cattle alike. | |
 Photo courtesy of the Florida Photo Archives. |
It wasn't until the late 1830's that a plantation/trading post was established on the banks of the Miami River at Fort Dallas. Fort Dallas became the first permanent settlement of a non-native community in this area. | |
| GO TO: Tracking Miami's Growth | ||
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February 3, 2004