NATIVE CULTURE 900-1500
The Tocobaga were great hunters, eating deer, rabbits, armadillo and squirrels in addition to their diet of fish and shellfish. They also gathered berries, fruit and nuts to supplement their meals. The Tocobaga lived in small villages at the northern end of Tampa Bay from 900 to the 1500s. They were mound builders, placing the homes of their chiefs on a mound. The women of the tribe, who were charged with cooking and maintaining the home created rubbish mounds made principally of shells. These mounds are still visible in parts of Pinellas County. Photo courtesy of State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.
Around 1567, the Tocobaga had amassed a large army in response to threats from the Spanish and other native tribes. Upon seeing the 29 chiefs and 1,500 warriors, the Spaniard leading the raid decided to try diplomacy. The result was a peace which, unfortunately, was of short duration. By 1759 the Tocobaga were essentially gone from Pinellas County. Photo courtesy of State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.
People have occupied Florida for more than 12,000 years. It was a wonderful place to live – the weather was mild, fish and wildlife were abundant and it was easy to grow food.
Native tribes co-existed peacefully, establishing complex societies before the Spanish arrived in the 1500s. Pinellas County was the territory of the Tocobaga tribe, but other tribes, such as the Timucuan and the Calusa passed through the area.
