Royal Palm: Women Create the Precursor to Everglades National Park

May Mann Jennings Papers, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida

The Florida Federation of Women's Clubs, particularly the chapter in Coconut Grove (Miami), was influential in the creation of Royal Palm State Park in 1916. Though the name of the park suggests it was owned by the state, in fact the federation owned the land and managed it.

Royal Palm State Park served as the nucleus for Everglades National Park and was an example of one ecosystem the national park was meant to protect. Royal Palm's Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo trails are among the most frequently visited areas of Everglades National Park.

Socketed bone points found in the Anhinga area.

NPS photo

Archeological evidence reveals the ways in which Native people lived in and used the resources around Anhinga. A separate exhibit on this web site explores the archeology of Native peoples who hunted and fished in the area, and the technology archeologists use today to understand those activities.

The Charles A. Mosier family were caretakers of the state park. In the photograph below, Charles is at the far left, his wife Hettie is at the back in front of the door, and their son Charles is standing in front of Dr. Stafford (15). Charles Mosier’s daughter Alice (11) is next to the door.

Alice Mosier (11) married Alton Harold Swinson. In 1972, her estate gave the photo to the Strozier Library at FSU. In 1982, the Strozier Library holdings were transferred to the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee.

Everglades National Park recently acquired a scrapbook from the Mosier family. It is undergoing conservation treatment.

Photograph taken during a meeting of the Florida Federation of Women's Clubs at the newly opened Royal Palm Park Lodge, September 1917.

Florida State Archives photo

FROM IDEA TO PARK, WOMEN LED THE WAY

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  Drain the Swamp

  Before the park, dredging "reclaimed" the wetlands and provided land for farming.

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  Save the Birds

  Women of the late 1800s and early 1900s worked nationally and locally in many conservation and reform causes, like ending plume hunting.

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  A Dream Come True

  The dream of a state park came true in 1916 and included a park lodge.