Native American Indians valued the abundance of wildlife in this area. These Native Americans lived here before the arrival of the Spanish in 1513, but within 200 years they were eliminated from their native land. Many mounds, or kitchen middens, are known to exist along the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run. The mounds are the only visible remains of their presence on the reserve and are protected for future archaeological investigations. Florida statutes prohibit the destruction or removal of artifacts from these sites.