Hobe Sound in Martin County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site

Photographed by Jay Kravetz, June 15, 2017

1. Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site Marker

Inscription. When he arrived from New Jersey in the early 1930s, Vincent Natulkiewicz, also known as Vince “Trapper” Nelson found the area still teeming with wildlife. For decades he lived off the land, supplementing his diet of raccoon, gopher tortoise, and opossum with fruit from his citrus grove. In addition to trapping he made his living by developing a business that he called “Trapper’s Zoo and Jungle Garden.” His docks, cages, cabins and shelters were hand made from pine trees. While he lived there, Trapper introduced hundreds of tourists and local visitors to the river’s mystery and beauty, building the image of Eden in South Florida. Trapper Nelson lived in his camp until his mysterious death in 1968. The Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site is a rare survivor of a formerly common building type, exemplary of a vanished occupation and lifestyle, enhanced by its location in equally rare pristine woodland. Trapper Nelson actively engaged in efforts to preserve the Loxahatchee River and to protect his ownership of large tracts along its banks. Trapper’s estate was sold by his family to a developer. The Florida Park Service acquired

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the estate through a land swap and maintains and protects the site for future generations to enjoy.

Erected 2006 by Friends of the Jonathan Dickinson State Park and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-615.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.

Location. 26° 58.577′ N, 80° 9.798′ W. Marker is in Hobe Sound, Florida, in Martin County. It can be reached from the intersection of SE Federal Highway (U.S. 1) and Park Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is within Jonathan Dickinson State Park. It is in the center of Trapper John's Camp. The camp in accessed via the Loxahatchee River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16450 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound FL 33455, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Treasure Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

Photographed by Jay Kravetz, June 15, 2017

2. Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site Marker

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: L.M. Davis Elementary School (approx. 2½ miles away); Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church & Cemetery (approx. 2.8 miles away); Tennessee Volunteers and Militia Camp (approx. 2.8 miles away); Powell's Battle (approx. 2.9 miles away); Jesup's Battle (approx. 3.3 miles away); Cinquez Park (approx. 3½ miles away); Jonathan Dickinson Shipwreck (approx. 4.2 miles away); Camp Murphy Site (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hobe Sound.

Also see . . . Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Florida Division of Recreation and Parks (Submitted on August 7, 2017.)

Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jay Kravetz, June 15, 2017

3. Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site

Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jay Kravetz, June 15, 2017

4. Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site photo

Photographed by Jay Kravetz, June 15, 2017

5. Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2017, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,173 times since then and 454 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 5, 2017, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.