Corkscrew in Immokalee in Collier County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Cattle Ranching and Immokalee
| — | Immokalee Pioneer Museum | — |
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 30, 2025
1. Cattle Ranching and Immokalee Marker
The open grasslands around Immokalees were an abundant hunting ground for the Caluas Indians and later, for the Seminole and Microsukee peoples. Cattleman Charles W. Hendry is thought to have established the first permanent white settlement in the region at "Gopher Ridge", named for its wealth of gopher tortoises. Hendry’s log cabin later became the home of William Allen, another pioneer who arrived is 1873. Although Allen and his family eventually moved on, locals continued to refer to the area as "Allen's Place."
Andalusian cattle were first brought to Florida in 1581 by explorers and colonists to supply their expeditions and later, to stock private ranches. These sturdy little animals, the ancestors of the Texas Longhorn, flourished in the wild and were well suited to the heat and harsh terrain of Southwest Florida. In time, Florida reachers crossed Andalusians with other breeds to create new and even hardier cattle.
During the Civil War (1861-65), Florida was a chief supplier of beef and leather for Southern armies. Local cow hands hired to herd and protect livestock
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Today, Immokalee is Collier County's largest inland community and remains an important ranching and agricultural center.
Los pastizales abiertos alrededor de Immokalees eran un abundante coto de caza para los indios Caluas y, más tarde, para los pueblos Seminole y Microsukee. Cattleman Charles W. Se cree que Hendry estableció el primer asentamiento blanco permanente en la región en "Gopher Ridge", llamado así por su riqueza
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 30, 2025
2. Cattle Ranching and Immokalee Marker
El ganado andaluz fue traído por primera vez a Florida en 1581 por exploradores y colonos para abastecer sus expediciones y, más tarde, para abastecer ranchos privados. Estos pequeños animales robustos, los antepasados del Texas Longhorn, florecieron en la naturaleza y estaban bien adaptados al calor y al terreno áspero del suroeste de Florida. Con el tiempo, los Reachers de Florida cruzaron a los andaluces con otras razas para crear ganado nuevo e incluso más resistente.
Durante la Guerra Civil (1861-65), Florida fue un principal proveedor de carne de vacuno y cuero para los ejércitos del sur. Las vacas locales contratadas para pastorear y proteger el ganado se formaron en un especial llamado "Calvario de Vacas" confederado, la economía del suroeste de Florida fue impulsada después de la guerra por un comercio rentable de ganado con Cuba. Entre 1968 y 1978, el sur de Florida envió aproximadamente 1,6 millones de cabezas de ganado a Cuba, Nassau y Key West. Los primeros pioneros como las familias Lykes, Sammerlin y Hendry establecieron un papel destacado en el comercio de ganado. Los vaqueros de Immokaloe fueron una vez un espectáculo familiar en la extensa pradera, llevando a sus rebanadas al mercado con largos látigos de piel de ciervo mientras sus trabajadores calificados "atrapaban perros" mostraban callejeros de las palmetas. El condado de Collier permaneció sin vallas hasta 1938, cuando la nueva legislación puso fin al pastoreo abierto.
Hoy en día, Immokalee es la comunidad interior más grande del condado de Collier y sigue siendo un importante centro ganadero y agrícola.
Erected by Immokalee Pioneer Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1581.
Location. 26° 25.265′ N, 81° 25.813′ W. Marker is in Immokalee, Florida, in Collier County. It is in Corkscrew. It is at the intersection of Roberts Avenue West and Bravo Lane, on the right when traveling east on Roberts Avenue West. The marker is located on the grounds of the Immokalee Pioneer Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1203 Roberts Avenue West, Immokalee FL 34142, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast. 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 walking distance of this marker: Roberts Family Home (here, next to this marker); Garage (a few steps from this marker); Truck & Tractor Shed (a few steps from this marker); Wash Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Smokehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Cook’s House (within shouting distance of this marker); Outhouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Immokalee.
Also see . . . Immokalee is about the land, the soil and work. Naples Daily News website entry (Submitted on September 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
