Near Welaka in Putnam County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Mount Royal Site
Photographed By Angela Sanchez Tischler, January 1, 2007
1. The Mount Royal Site Marker
Mount Royal has been a favored location for people to live for thousands of years. Archaeological sites include a Native American burial mound, earthworks, village area, and evidence of a British plantation, as well as the remains of a Spanish mission occupied by the Timucus Indians. British naturalist William Bartram visited Mount Royal in 1765–1766, and again in 1774. His description of the large mound, fields, earthen causeways and an artificial pond was published in 1791 and is one of the earliest accounts of an Indian mound in North America. Bartram’s plan of the mound was later published in 1848 by newly formed Smithsonian Institution. Archaeologist Clarence B. Moore excavated the mounds in 1893 and 1894. Moore found human burials with hammered and embossed sheet copper ornaments, polished stone tools, pearl and shell beads, and decorated ceramic vessels. The copper ornaments are similar to those found at Mississippian sites in Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma and date between 1000 and 1500 A.D. Archaeologist B. Calvin Jones’ salvage excavations at the village site in 1983 and in 1994–1995, revealed evidence of six structures. These buildings contained Spanish artifacts and were probably part of the Mission of San Antonio de Anacape (1587–1675).
Erected 1999 by The Florida Department
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the William Bartram Trails series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1766.
Location. 29° 26.61′ N, 81° 39.15′ W. Marker is near Welaka, Florida, in Putnam County. Marker is at the intersection of County Road 309 and Fort Gates Ferry Road, on the right when traveling south on County Road 309. Marker is 1.4 miles N of CR 308 to Crescent City and Hwy 17. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crescent City FL 32112, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mount Royal (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named The Mount Royal Site (approx. 0.7 miles away); Battle At Horse Landing (approx. 7˝ miles away); Cross Florida Barge Canal Memorial (approx. 7.8 miles away); William Bartram Trail (approx. 7.8 miles away); Florida's First Bicentennial Park (approx. 8.4 miles away); The Battle of Braddock’s Farm (approx. 8.4 miles away); Buckman Lock North / Buckman Lock South (approx. 8˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Welaka.
More about this marker. Text on the market is different from that on the Florida site myflorida.com. There must have been an earlier marker
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, February 19, 2019
2. The Mount Royal Site Marker
Also see . . . Mount Royal (Florida). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 25, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2007, by Angela Sanchez Tischler of Crescent City, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,616 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on October 22, 2012, by Ray King of Jacksonville, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on May 20, 2007, by Angela Sanchez Tischler of Crescent City, Florida. 2. submitted on February 19, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
