Restoration of the Tomoka Point

Tomoka Point has a rich history with significance relating to Nocoroco, the Timucua 14th-century village that once stood atop a prehistoric midden located on the Tomoka Point. A second significant historic layer occurred in the late 1700s when the same area became Mount Oswald, a British indigo plantation.

Today, the prehistoric shell midden is all that remains of the Nocoroco and Mount Oswald site.

In the past, extensive storm erosion of Tomoka Point caused remnants of these important occupations to be exposed from the shell midden. Both historic periods resulted in burials, which greatly increased the need to protect Tomoka Point from further erosion.

Erosion is when soil or rock is removed due to wind, water or human action. Specifically, the Tomoka point is vulnerable to erosion from wave action and loss of plant cover by visitor use.

In 2017, the park initiated erosion control in the northern section of the point by using natural coquina stones, oyster bags and living shoreline plants to stabilize over 1,300 feet of the point. Native plants such as saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) and mangroves were planted. The growth of Spartina, reinforced by other shoreline plantings, has largely stabilized the shell midden at Tomoka Point.

When you visit Tomoka State Park, stop by the Tomoka Point to observe the restoration work that was done in order to protect and preserve the history that lies below ground.

Stay tuned for details on the living shoreline restoration on the southside of the Tomoka Point.