William Allen moved to Sanibel Island, Florida from Boston, Massachusetts, in 1866. He moved east of Fort Myers, near the edge of the Big Cypress, in 1872 or 1873. The region previously had been known as Gopher Ridge, but over time his land became known as Allen's Place. Allen and his family would live there for about 40 years. In 1891, the Missionary Committee of the Women's National Indian Association set out to create a mission in the region of Allen's Place. They set up a sawmill, built structures, and sought to teach the Seminoles. Their efforts ultimately failed but their Seminole Agent, Doctor Jacob E. Brecht, went to work for the U.S. Government and continued purchasing land in the area for the Seminoles. This land eventually became the Big Cypress Indian Reservation. In 1897 the settlement opened a post office and the name was changed from Allen's Place to Immokalee, the Seminole word for "my home." There are also references in the Expedition accounts to Allen Prairie.
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For other topics referenced in the Expedition texts, please refer to the Index to Subjects and Names.
1892 Everglades Exploration Expedition : Three Digital Texts, 2015