Ochopee in Collier County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

1936 Seminole Conference

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 9, 2026

1. 1936 Seminole Conference Marker

Inscription. On February 22, 1936, this pine hammock was the site of a conference attended by about 275 Seminoles and several representatives of state and local governments. Florida's New Deal governor, David W. Sholtz (1933-37), had aided the state's economic recovery from the great depression. Accompanied by members of is cabinet and D. Graham Copeland of the Collier County Board of Commissioners, Sholtz journeyed into the Everglades to discuss with Seminole leaders what the government could do to assist the Indians in those trying times. A ceremonial welcome was followed by conversations in which Gotch Nagoftee (Josie Billie) and Tush Kee Henehe (Corey Osceola) spoke for the Seminoles. The Indians appreciated the offer of aid but, fearing removal from the Everglades, gave the Governor this reply: "Pohoan Checkish" - "Just leave us alone".

Erected 1976 by Sponsored by The Collier County Historical Society in cooperation with the Department of State. (Marker Number F-259.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is February 22, 1936.

Location. 25° 51.84′ N,

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81° 6.822′ W. Marker is in Ochopee, Florida, in Collier County. It is at the intersection of Tamiami Trail East (U.S. 41) and Monument Road, on the left when traveling west on Tamiami Trail East. Marker is now in its original location inside the monuments rock wall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50205 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee FL 34141, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast

and in the Everglades.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

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 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Birds of Big Cypress (approx. 5 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 5 miles away); Wildlife & You (approx. 5 miles away); Big Cypress

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 9, 2026

2. 1936 Seminole Conference Marker

(approx. 5 miles away); Big Cypress National Preserve (approx. 5 miles away); Fighting an Invasion (approx. 5 miles away); H. P. Williams Roadside Park (approx. 5 miles away); Joanie's Blue Crab Cafe (approx. 11.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ochopee.

More about this marker. This appears to be a replacement marker for the original, which is in the photos and presumably missing. The text on the original marker is more interesting and colorful than the newer one!

Additional keywords. Depression era

1936 Seminole Conference Marker and rock wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 9, 2026

3. 1936 Seminole Conference Marker and rock wall

Photographed by Michael Baker

4. 1936 Seminole Conference Marker

Photographed by Michael Baker

5. 1936 Seminole Conference Marker

Photographed by Michael Baker

6. 1936 Seminole Conference Marker

Corey Osceola and his wife in 1976

Photographed by Michael Baker

7. 1936 Seminole Conference Marker

Newspaper article on wall of the Rod & Gun Club in Everglades City about the 1936 Seminole Conference and marker.

Photographed by Michael Baker

8. 1936 Seminole Conference Marker

Josie Billie

Photographed by Michael Baker

9. 1936 Seminole Conference Marker

This is the original marker on the site, now presumably missing.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2022, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,064 times since then and 175 times this year. Last updated on January 19, 2022, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 9, 2026, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.