Long before Columbus sailed the oceans and long before even the birth of Christ, ancient man walked these prehistoric lands in Polk County, Florida. Crooked Pine Ranch was once home to a few of these ancient Aboriginal Indian tribes.

Florida was inhabited by numerous Aboriginal Indian tribes, each with an area and language of it's own. Early explorers spoke of the Appalachess, Aise, Calusa, Timacua, Pegests, and others and it is these people who antedated the Seminole by many centuries. One by one they arose from the shadows of time, flourished for awhile, then passed into oblivion leaving almost no trace of themselves.

The Seminole is not classed as Aboriginal, being a later arrival. These Aboriginal Indians flourished during the pre-Colombian times and up into the period of early Spanish occupation.

In Central Florida, we are perhaps more familiar with two of these ancient tribes and their history, the Calusa (to the South) and the Timucua (North to Central Florida).

Many of the primitive races of Florida, generally established their homes and communities along some navigable stream or tributary. Crooked Pine Ranch shows evidence of ancient streams snaking their way thorough it's Northern and Western regions and a bounty of artifacts in perfect condition have been found all throughout the ranch.

In the short time our family has been at Crooked Pine Ranch, we have found over a dozen projectile points, scrapers, and similar items. It is not uncommon to unearth an ancient Indian artifact while gardening or digging through mounds of soil.