Okeechobee in Okeechobee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Historic Role of Seminole Cattle Ranching

— Cattleman’s Square —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Historic Role of Seminole Cattle Ranching Marker

Inscription.

Historic Role of Seminole Cattle Ranching. . For centuries, the Seminole Tribe in Florida have been experp cattlemen and an important part of the Florida cattle ranching history and industry. , , The first recorded participation in organized cattle ranching by the Seminole Tribe occurred in the 1740s. After the Spaniards left Florida, the wild herds of beef cattle that remained were gathered by some Seminole communities. The Seminole Native Americans had numerous conflicts against European-American frontier settlers. There were many land disputes over cattle grazing for access. By 1775 there was a prominent leader called Cowkeeper, Ahaya Seacoffee. He built a community in the Oconee Creek region and created, at that time, the largest settlement in Florida in the Alachua area. During the Civil War there was a mad dash to collect wild cattle, which also ushered in the age of the cattle rustler. Theft of cattle began to skyrocket with the post-Civil War demand for food and resources. The Seminole Tribes around Big Cypress and Lake Okeechobee continued to raise cattle with pressure and violence from rustlers. The Seminole Tribe and Florida Cracker Cowboys worked cooperatively to deter the cattle rustlers. Cracker ranchers frequently chose to hire Seminole cattlemen because they knew the country so well, and because they were talented cattle herding experts. The Seminole cattlemen knew the best pastures and how to rotate herds to optimize beef production. , , The Indian Livestock Association was created in 1939. In 1944 the Seminole Tribe created separate ranch operations in Brighton and Big Cypress, which were supervised by the Central Tribal Cattle Organization. Today, the Seminole Tribe is recognized as one of Florida's leading beef producers. Utilizing video auctions, other tribal cattle herds are promoted across the country for sale. The communities work together for mutual economic benefit for the Florida Cattle Industry through the National American Indian Cattlemen's Association.

For centuries, the Seminole Tribe in Florida have been experp cattlemen and an important part of the Florida cattle ranching history and industry.

The first recorded participation in organized cattle ranching by the Seminole Tribe occurred in the 1740s. After the Spaniards left Florida, the wild herds of beef cattle that remained were gathered by some Seminole communities. The Seminole Native Americans had numerous conflicts against European-American frontier settlers. There were many land disputes over cattle grazing for access. By 1775 there was a prominent leader called Cowkeeper, Ahaya Seacoffee. He built a community in the Oconee Creek region and created, at that time, the largest settlement in Florida in the Alachua area. During the Civil War there was a mad dash to collect wild cattle, which also ushered in the age of the cattle rustler. Theft of cattle began to skyrocket with the post-Civil War demand for food and resources. The Seminole Tribes around Big Cypress and Lake Okeechobee continued to raise cattle with pressure and violence from rustlers. The Seminole Tribe and Florida Cracker Cowboys worked cooperatively to deter the cattle rustlers. Cracker ranchers frequently chose to hire Seminole cattlemen because they knew the country so well, and because they were talented cattle herding experts. The Seminole cattlemen

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knew the best pastures and how to rotate herds to optimize beef production.

The Indian Livestock Association was created in 1939. In 1944 the Seminole Tribe created separate ranch operations in Brighton and Big Cypress, which were supervised by the Central Tribal Cattle Organization. Today, the Seminole Tribe is recognized as one of Florida's leading beef producers. Utilizing video auctions, other tribal cattle herds are promoted across the country for sale. The communities work together for mutual economic benefit for the Florida Cattle Industry through the National American Indian Cattlemen's Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 27° 14.612′ N, 80° 50.079′ W. Marker is in Okeechobee, Florida, in Okeechobee County. It can be reached from the intersection of SW Park Street and SW 6th Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located within Cattleman’s Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 517 SW Park Street, Okeechobee FL 34972, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

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 walking distance of this marker: Florida Cattle Ranching (here, next to this marker); Rollins Ranch (a few steps from this marker); Branding Cattle Ranching Tradition

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Historic Role of Seminole Cattle Ranching Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); History of the Ranch Entry Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Prescott Family Ranch LLC (within shouting distance of this marker); Florida Cattle Ranchers Committed to Conservation (within shouting distance of this marker); Altobello Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Cutting Horse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Okeechobee.

Also see . . .
1. The Seminole Tribe and Florida Cattle Ranching: History of Native Cattlemen. (Submitted on March 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Cattleman’s Square. (Submitted on March 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. Celebrating Cattle Ranching History through Arts. (Submitted on March 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
4. Cattle drive ends at Cattleman’s Square Park. (Submitted on March 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.