Big Cypress Reservation

In James E. Ingraham's diary, a handwritten notation states that Fort Shackleford was located "25 m SSW of S.E. corner of Lake Okeechobee approx. where Ind. Reservation is marked on map." This is probably a reference to the Big Cypress Indian Reservation, which is the largest of six reservations of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It is located south of Lake Okeechobee and to the southeast of Fort Myers and Immokalee. The present-day Big Cypress Reservation was created in 1911 by President Taft, but land had been set aside for Seminoles in the 1800s. For example, 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 near Fort Myers. 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. In 1897 the settlement opened a post office and the name was changed from Allen's Place to Immokalee. Much of the land purchased by Brecht eventually became part of the Big Cypress Reservation. The location of the map that is referenced in the diary's notation is unknown.

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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