10/08/2026
Recently, Rookery Bay staff joined Resource Management Specialist Steven Bertone for a site visit to Horr's Island, where thousands of years of history are preserved beneath our feet.
Long before Southwest Florida's roads and neighborhoods existed, Horr's Island was home to Indigenous peoples who lived here during the Archaic Period, from approximately 10,000 to 3,000 years ago. The island contains one of the oldest known human mound burials in the southeastern United States, with burial mounds dating back nearly 4,700 years.
Our journey also stepped into more recent history with a visit to the site of Captain John F. Horr's plantation home. Built in 1877, the homestead was once part of a bustling island community known for its pineapple plantations and early settlers. Along the way, we learned about tabby—a durable building material made from shells, sand, and water—that was commonly used to construct homes and other structures throughout coastal Florida.
Today, Horr's Island serves as a reminder that conservation isn't just about protecting wildlife and habitats—it's also about preserving the stories of the people who lived here thousands of years before us. 💙🌿
