Randell Research Center, Tarpon Lodge part of Discover Southwest Florida Cruise
When Europeans first arrived on Florida’s shores in the 1500s, the Calusa were the most powerful people in all of South Florida. For many centuries, these Native Americans accumulated huge shell mounds, engineered canals and sustained thousands of people from the fish and shellfish found in the rich estuaries west and south of Fort Myers.
Situated in the scenic community of Pineland on the western shore of historic Pine Island, the Rendell Research Center is home to the Calusa Heritage Trail, where visitors can tour the internationally significant archeological site and learn about the Native Americans and their natural and cultural environment.
“The Calusa were prosperous, powerful and artistic Native Americans,” said Denege Patterson, of the Randell Research Center. “We know what we know about them mostly through writings – they lived to be about 40 to 50 years old and 85 percent of their diet was fish.”
As part of a Discover Southwest Florida cruise offered by Captiva Cruises, about a dozen people aboard the Santiva docked for lunch at the historic Tarpon Lodge located across the street from the RRC. Following a delectable meal, the group toured the nearly mile-long Calusa trail with Patterson as a guide.
The Pineland archeological site was a Calusa Indian Village for more than 1,500 years with enormous shell mounds that still overlook the waters of Pine Island Sound. The remains of 15 centuries of Indian life are evident everywhere. Remnants of an ancient hand-made canal that reached across Pine Island sweep through the complex and sand burial mounds stand in the woods.
“They were very intelligent engineers,” Patterson said.
Lacking local stone or metal, the Calusas developed tools and ornaments from shell and bone. Their painted and sculpted wooden artwork is among the most renowned in North America. The shell mound sites dotting the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast preserve a rich legacy of the remarkable culture.
“The Calusa succumbed to warfare, disease, slavery by the English and displacement,” said Patterson. “It’s a very sad story for these Native Americans that once controlled all of South Florida.”
The Randell Research Center, which is dedicated to learning and teaching the archaeology, history and ecology of Southwest Florida, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and archeologists have conducted research there since 1988.
“It is the second largest archeological site on the register,” said Patterson. “It was hit by Hurricane Charley and took two-and-a-half years to rebuild.”
The Calusa Heritage Trail is open for self-guided visits from sunup to sundown. Guided tours are offered to the public during peak season, January through April, on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m.
Passengers on the special Eco-Heritage Cruise to Pineland also learn about the fishing cultures of Pine Island Sound as they pass by historic fish houses. Guide Richard Finkel shares the history of commercial and sport fishing, as well as the fishing cultures of the indigenous Calusa, Spanish Cuban Ranchos and the Punta Gorda Fishing Company.
Captiva Cruises offers several expeditions including the Shoreline Discovery Cruise to a secluded beach accessible only by boat to explore nature that often goes unnoticed, followed by lunch on North Captiva; the Beach & Shelling excursions to Cayo Costa State Park; the Dolphin & Wildlife Adventure Cruise with SCCF; and the Night Sky Astronomy Cruise.
Kids can take part in Captiva Cruises “Junior Naturalist” program. Upon completion of two designated Eco-Cruise Expeditions, participants will receive a Captiva Cruises Junior Naturalist certificate.After their first adventure, children ages 2 to 14 will receive a $5 off coupon toward the second Eco-Cruise Expedition.
Captiva Cruises also offers lunch cruises to Cabbage Key and Useppa Island, Boca Grande Sailing Adventures and sunset cruises. Additional information and reservations for any of Captiva Cruises’ tours and programs may be obtained by calling Captiva Cruises at 472-5300.