Shell Mounds and Middens

1894 Sketch of Shell Mounds (Partial) - Courtesy of the former Volusia Museum - February 2001 - Beth Vining

Temple Mound at Crystal River, Fl Photo supplied by the University of South Florida

From "Certain Sand Mounds of the St. Johns River, Florida" by Clarence B. Moore,  May 22, 1894 and Published for the Harvard College Library.  
" It is probable that certain mounds were used as look-out stations, and possibly all in later times served for domiciliary purposes. The great mound at Tick Island, has an altitude of over 17ft, while the famous Mt. Royal, with a circumference of 555 ft, is in area approached by no mound on the St. Johns  river. 

Above images and text sourced from St. John's River Historical Society. Link here. 

Links to articles

http://www.jacksonville.com/current/southside-beaches/2015-06-02/story/unf-students-dig-history-along-banks-st-johns-river


https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/vertpaleo/aucilla12_1/milanich99.htm


http://www.blackhammockisland.com/History.php

http://www.stjohnsriverhistsoc.org/original-inhabitants--native-indians.html

St. Johns River, Florida, USA

Begins10 miles southwest of Melbourne, Florida. Swampy area known as Lake Hell 'n Blazes. 

Map of the lower St. Johns printed in 1876

Florida platform (outer boundary) as it appeared the first time humans inhabited the peninsula

The hydrologic cycle in Florida, showing the Floridan aquifer and formation of springs and sinkholes.

An extremely rare Timucua owl totem, found buried in muck near Hontoon Island,
on display at Fort Caroline National Memorial

-Longest river in Florida, 310 miles long. Largest point 3 miles wide. Flows through 12 counties.
-Three river basins and two watersheds.
-Used to transport freight - due to size.
-Flows north. Unusual. Fewer than 30 rivers in US flow north. Slight slope in river where meets Atlantic. Causes a lazy river.
-Slowest river in the world.
-Begins as a network of marshes - predominately fresh water. Becomes brackish near Jax where sea water is pushed into river.
-Linked to 14 lakes and numerous Florida springs.
Source Castaways on the River

Map of St. Johns River Florida South of Palatka 1876
Source: http://www.drbronsontours.com/bronsonmapofstjohnsriver1876.html

On the St. John's River, Florida 1848
Seth Eastman, American, 1808-1875
Watercolor
Source: Art Net

Old City Map, Jacksonville, St. John's River Florida 1791
Source: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-City-Map-Jacksonville-St-Johns-River-Florida-1791-23-x-40-65-/271211939816

St. Johns' River, Florida
Thomas Moran
1881, Etching on Paper
Hudson River School
Source Gilcrease Museum