40GASPARILLA ISLAND May/June 2019
Story by Dan Fisher
Photos by Dan Fisher & submitted
While the sun shines on the short green
grass and palm trees at Indian Mound Park
on Lemon Bay, the mounds the land is
named after remain in silence. Projected above the
park’s contoured landscape, the rounded mass can be
seen throughout the park, encapsulated in green and
yellow foliage with walking trails providing access.
Standing roughly five feet tall, information plaques that
speak of Florida’s ancient residents are planted in the
ground.
There is definitely more to the park’s presence than
meets the eye.
Located just off Dearborn Street in Englewood,
Indian Mound Park’s human past and its
archaeological discoveries are preserved subjects
of study in the Florida archaeological community.
Known for its ancient burial grounds, Indian
Mound Park (also known as Paulsen Point) was
once home to native American Indians dating as
far back as 1000 BC until about A.D. 1400.
These dates were determined based on the
excavated pottery and other artifacts from the
site. This was a preferred method to use rather
than radiometric dating – a technique that calls
upon relative dating vs. absolute dating.
A view from above of Indian Mounds Park in Englewood.