I thought I would share a little more information about the history of Cayo Costa...it's pretty interesting and goes back for thousands of years.
Cayo Costa means "Key by the Coast" and is located south of Boca Grande and west of Pine Island. It is accessible by ferry or private boat and had been inhabited for over 10,000 years by the Calusa Indians.
Several of their shell mounds still exist on the island. Ponce de Leon made first European contact with the Indians but within just 300 years, they had all disappeared.
Spanish fishermen from Cuba used Cayo Costa for fishing "ranchos" where they dried the fish before taking them back to Cuba.
There was also a quarantine station which was created on the island sometime in the late 1800's or 1900. It was used for immigration screenings for people entering the US through Boca Grande Pass.
At one time there were about twenty fishing families living full time on Cayo Costa and although there are still homes there, no one resides full time.
A State Park was established in the 1970's and there is about 2400 acres under park supervision. If you visit during Heritage Days in May, you can tour the Quarantine trail where you will see the old dock and station. US service men were screened for yellow fever and other diseases. There is also a Cemetery Trail where you will visit a small cemetery which goes back to the turn of the 19th century.
 |
| Captain Nelson buried at Cemetery Point |
There are over 6 miles of hiking and off road biking trails to explore on your own. You can even rent a bike to use on Island. Explore mangrove forests, beach trails and even an old settlement.
 |
| Sunset on Cayo Costa |
Next stop Cabbage Key.
No comments:
Post a Comment