Oleta River State Park History
The beauty of the river has drawn man to its banks for centuries. As early as 500 BC, the river was home to the Tequesta Indians who camped along the river’s shore. The estuary provided them with a rich and varied diet. When Spaniards first visited the area they encountered bear, deer, panthers, bobcats, wolves, alligators, manatees and numerous birds and small animals.
In 1841, the river was named Big Snake Creek and was part of the route used by Federal troops in the Second Seminole War to travel south from Loxahatchee.
In 1891, Captain William Hawkins Fulford explored the river and settled further inland in the area known today as North Miami Beach.
Once "discovered", other settlers ventured north from Miami and by the 1890s, pineapple and vegetable farms had sprung up along the river in the newly formed town of Ojus. The river linked the Everglades with Biscayne Bay. An Indian trading post was established at what is now Greynolds Park. In 1922, Big Snake Creek was renamed the Oleta River by developers.
In 1841, the river was named Big Snake Creek and was part of the route used by Federal troops in the Second Seminole War to travel south from Loxahatchee.
In 1891, Captain William Hawkins Fulford explored the river and settled further inland in the area known today as North Miami Beach.
Once "discovered", other settlers ventured north from Miami and by the 1890s, pineapple and vegetable farms had sprung up along the river in the newly formed town of Ojus. The river linked the Everglades with Biscayne Bay. An Indian trading post was established at what is now Greynolds Park. In 1922, Big Snake Creek was renamed the Oleta River by developers.
