Punta Gorda in Charlotte County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Columbus G. McLeod - Protector of Plumed Birds
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, April 18, 2014
1. Columbus G. McLeod - Protector of Plumed Birds Marker
Inscription.
Columbus G. McLeod - Protector of Plumed Birds. . Many wading birds can be seen here, largely due to the sacrifice of men like Columbus G. McLeod (1848-1908), who gave his life trying to protect them from plume hunters. Ladies' hats with exotic bird feathers were high fashion for the late 1800's, and thousands of birds were slaughtered in Florida for their plumage. In 1901 the Audubon Society persuaded the state to adopt laws protecting Florida wildlife, especially plumage birds. Even so, no funds were allocated. The state, however, agreed to deputize two wardens hired by the Audubon Society. The danger of this work was evidenced when Guy M. Bradley, charged with protecting the Everglades area, was found shot to death near Flamingo on July 8, 1905. Columbus G. McLeod of Placida, charged with protecting to rookeries here in northern Charlotte Harbor, disappeared under suspicious circumstances and was presumed murdered on November 30, 1908. This second death of an Audubon warden sparked a national campaign against the wearing of feathers, and shifted public sentiment in favor of stronger enforcement of wildlife protection laws and the prosecution of plume hunters. Today we enjoy the beauty of our Florida wading birds largely because of these men.
Many wading birds can be seen here, largely due to the sacrifice of men like Columbus G. McLeod (1848-1908), who gave his life trying to protect them from plume hunters. Ladies' hats with exotic bird feathers were high fashion for the late 1800's, and thousands of birds were slaughtered in Florida for their plumage. In 1901 the Audubon Society persuaded the state to adopt laws protecting Florida wildlife, especially plumage birds. Even so, no funds were allocated. The state, however, agreed to deputize two wardens hired by the Audubon Society. The danger of this work was evidenced when Guy M. Bradley, charged with protecting the Everglades area, was found shot to death near Flamingo on July 8, 1905. Columbus G. McLeod of Placida, charged with protecting to rookeries here in northern Charlotte Harbor, disappeared under suspicious circumstances and was presumed murdered on November 30, 1908. This second death of an Audubon warden sparked a national campaign against the wearing of feathers, and shifted public sentiment in favor of stronger enforcement of wildlife protection laws and the prosecution of plume hunters. Today we enjoy the beauty of our Florida wading birds largely because of these men.
Erected 2004 by The Peace River Audubon Society and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number
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F-552.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is November 30, 1908.
Location. 26° 54.615′ N, 82° 5.741′ W. Marker is in Punta Gorda, Florida, in Charlotte County. Marker is on Ponce de Leon Parkway, half a mile south of North Marion Court, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in Ponce de Leon Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda FL 33950, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Columbus G. McLeod - Protector of Plumed Birds Marker looking west toward the Gulf.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on February 27, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2. submitted on March 25, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
