Surveying problems in the Ten Thousand Islands

Submitted by Everglades Historical Society 

Imagine not being able to obtain a deed to property on which you have built a house and lived in for years! That was just one of the problems faced by pioneering settlers in “Florida’s Last Frontier”.

Surveyors faced myriad obstacles such as shifting coastlines and, of course, mosquitoes. Meanwhile, the State was transferring vast tracts of land to railroad companies without regard to pioneers’ homestead rights.

To learn more about early attempts to establish property boundaries and obtain titles, you can attend an illustrated presentation: “Surveying Problems in the Ten Thousand Islands” on Friday, February 24, at 6:00 PM at the Everglades Seafood Depot Restaurant in historic Everglades City.

The speaker is Craig Woodward, a Marco Island attorney with a

passion for local history. He spoke on this subject to professional surveyors at their annual conference in October of last year. “Two murders, an inept government, pioneer Crackers pitted against large railroad interests, years of frustration in getting legal title to homestead property, and a local story that hit the Associated Press wire and went national in the 1920s – this topic is interesting even to those who know nothing about surveying”, said Woodward.

This event is presented by the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation. Cost is $25 per person, which includes dinner. To make reservations, see www. evergladeshistorical.org where you can download a form to send with your check or book online with a credit/debit card. For more information, phone Marya at (239) 695-2905.