Corkscrew in Immokalee in Collier County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Roberts Family Home
| — | Immokalee Pioneer Museum | — |
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 30, 2025
1. Roberts Family Home Marker
Robert Roberts (1884-1963) and his wife, Sarah Jane Cordell Roberts (1882-1966) came to Immokalee from Ona, Florida, in 1914 with their seven children. Two more children were later born in Immokalee.
The Roberts family traveled over 100 miles by oxcart and mule wagon to reach the old William Allen homestead in Immokalee, often crossing through difficult and dangerous territory. Their first home was a log cabin or pen that remained on the property until about 1940.
Roberts brought 300 head of Red Devon and native, Cracker cows to his new 60-acre spread in Immokalee and gradually bred up his herd with other stock such as Brahma and Santa Gertrudis cattle. He eventually owned or leased over 100,000 acres of land. In 1950, the family business was incorporated as the Red Cattle Company and remained in operation until 1980. At one time, Roberts' cattle business ranked as one of the ten largest ranches in the state. Robert Roberts became an important member of Immokalee's small pioneer community and was instrumental in establishing the First Baptist Church and the Masonic Lodge. He also
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This two-story home, completed in 1926, was built by Roberts and his older brother, Charles. Originally the wooden clapboard building did not have either running water or electricity. Wells provided water and electrical service was not available in Immokalee until the 1940s.
In 1995, the Roberts family generously donated the main house and 6.6 acres of the original homestead to Collier County Government for use as an historical museum. The home and its outbuildings have since been restored to their original appearance.
La casa de la Familia Roberts
Robert Roberts (1884-1963) y su esposa, Sarah Jane Cordell Roberts (1882-1966) vinieron a Immokalee desde Ona, en la Florida, en 1914 con sus siete niños. Otros dos niños más nacieron en Immokalee.
La familia Roberts viajó cerca de 100 millas en carreta de buey y una carreta de mula para llegar a la granja de William Allen en Immokalee, a menudo cruzando a través de territorio difícil y peligroso. Su primera casa fue una cabaña de troncos que permaneció sobre la propiedad hasta 1940.
Roberts compró 300 cabezas del ganado Devon Rojo y vacas nativas, para su nueva pradera de 60 acres en Immokalee y mejoró gradualmente su manada con otras razas como el Brahma y el ganado Santa Gertrudís. Su rancho llego a cerca de 100.000 acres de tierra. En 1950, el negocio de la familia fué constituído como la Red Cattle Company y siguió en funcionamiento hasta el año 1980. Durante un tiempo el negocio de ganado de los Roberts' fué reconocido como uno de los ranchos más grandes del estado.
Robert Roberts se hizo un miembro importante de la pequeña comunidad pionera de Immokalee y fué instrumento para establecer la Primera Iglesia Bautista y la Logia Masónica de la región. Él también sirvió como uno de los primeros Comisionados elegidos del Condado, desde 1925 a 1932.
Esta casa de dos pisos fué terminada en 1926 por Roberts y su hermano mayor, Charles. La casa no tenía agua o electricidad. Los pozos proporcionaron el agua y el servicio eléctrico llegó a Immokalee en los años 40.
En 1995, la familia Roberts donó generosamente la casa principal y 6.6 acres de la granja original al gobierno del condado de Collier para ser usado como museo histórico. El hogar y sus dependencias se han restaurado desde entonces en su apariencia original.
(caption)
Robert Roberts and his daughter, Ola, ca1950s (Robert Roberts y su hija, Ola, aprox 1950s)
Erected by Immokalee Pioneer Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 26° 25.267′ N, 81° 25.812′ 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. Located within 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: Cattle Ranching and Immokalee (here, next to this marker); Garage (a few steps from this marker); Truck & Tractor Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Wash Shed (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 . . .
1. Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch. (Submitted on September 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Robert’s Ranch. (Submitted on September 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 90 times since then and 40 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on September 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. a wide shot of this marker showing it in its surroundings • Can you help?
