Miscellaneous Papers Relating to Anthropology/Ancient Canals in Florida
ANCIENT CANALS IN FLORIDA.
By Charles J. Kenworthy, of Jacksonville, Fla.
In November and December, 1877, I indulged in a sail-boat cruise from Key West to Cedar Keys, and en route found and superficially examined an ancient canal in township 50 south, range 25 east. The accompanying drawing gives a sketch of the locality.
The canal is at present 12 feet wide at the bottom, and about 40 at the top. The embankment on each side is about 4 feet higher than the original surface. Engineering skill was manifested in laying out the canal, for its first 600 feet are at right angles with the coast line, after which it trends to the eastward. Those canals were not erected by our indolent Indians, and in my opinion they were made by another race. Three years ago I made a boat trip from Cedar Keys to Charlotte Harbor, on Lake Okeechobee. On my return I superficially examined a canal at Pine Island, Charlotte Harbor.
Some of the largest mounds in the State have been constructed near the southwest end of the canal. In my opinion the mounds have been made since the canal was excavated. I was anxious to make an examination to determine the date of the mound-building as regards the canal, 
Plan No. 1.
but my companions would not stop. I was assured, by a gentleman who had resided on the island for 24 years, that the canal extended across the island a distance of 3 miles, and that it could be traced inland (from the shore of the mainland) a distance of 14 miles. A canal similar in character exists between the falls at the head of the Caloosahatchee and Lake Okeechobee. An old coaster informed me that he had discerned an ancient canal on one of the Thousand Islands south of Cape Romano. Those excavations are evidently very old and not the work of Indians. They were not constructed for defensive purposes, but evidently for canals.
In his examinations, Professor Wyman did not visit the large mounds of the State. The largest of those standing are to be found on Pine Island and Gasparilla Island, Charlotte Harbor, at Old Fort Centre, Fish Eating Creek, on the plain between New Fort Centre and Fort Thompson, and between Fort Myers and Cyprus Bay. The mound at Old Fort Centre is about 50 feet high. It was evidently used for burial purposes, and if an excavation was made many things might be collected. I used a stick, and with a few minutes' scratching I found bones everywhere. The largest and most interesting mounds in the State have escaped notice and examination. From the immense number and large size of the shell heaps on the southwest coast, this section must have been inhabited for a long period by a large population. The distribution of the shells in some of the heaps led me to believe that the inhabitants were governed by some law. In some of the heaps you will find a layer of conch shells several feet in thickness, and above or below a layer of oyster shells. The largest number of shell mounds are to be found on the Nelt River, a lagoon or river connecting Crystal and Henoosana Rivers.
In my wanderings I found a remarkable shell deposit on the shore of Orange Lake. I noticed an elevation on the flat near the shore of the lake, covering over an acre and about 6 feet high. I noticed on the surface fragments of oyster shells. I obtained a grubbing hoe and made an excavation about 2 feet deep, and found a bed of oyster shells. They differed from other shells I have examined in other portions of the State. As far as examined, each shell had been broken at the end, as oysters were opened some years ago. The present elevation of Orange Lake is 48 feet 8 inches above the ocean level. The nearest oyster bed is distant 43 miles. This immense heap of shells was not transported 43 miles, but in my opinion were obtained from Orange Lake when it was a bay or estuary of the sea. From my investigations I feel assured that the oysters were collected and eaten when the State of Florida consisted of a belt of high land extending from the Chattahoochee to a point south of Sumterville, and before the balance of the State attained its present elevation above the ocean. If my views are correct, Florida was inhabited a long time ago. If the shells referred to have not presented the endeavors of man's work I might have referred the collection to other causes. Two years ago I made the acquaintance of a very intelligent gentleman residing near Sumterville. Four years ago he was out deer hunting with dogs on the shore of Lake Charleossosekie. He was riding over an elevated hummock surrounded by a large sun-grass swamp, and discovered traces of old cultivation. Looking about, he discovered a heap of ancient pottery, which, he assured me, amounted to several cart-loads. He dismounted and examined a number of the vessels, and found that a hole had been made in the bottom of each to render it useless. After examining a few of them he followed in pursuit of his dogs. It seems to me that this hummock must have been the resort of a tribe of Indians, and when attacked by enemies they rendered their most valuable utensils useless to the enemy.
Plan No. 2.
He had in the city, some months since, a large molar tooth weighing 9 pounds. It was picked up near Sumterville. On some of the tributaries of Pease Creek huge bones are visible in the sand bars at low stages of water.
Plan No-1 is an accurate sketch of the locality, showing the peninsula, inlet, lagoon, islands, and canals. Plan No. 2, on a smaller scale, shows John's Pass and Marco Inlet.
One mile and three quarters south of Doctor's Pass is John's Pass, with three inside channels connecting them. Three miles and a quarter south of John's Pass is Little Marco Inlet, with an inside channel connecting them.
The land on the peninsula traversed by the canal is low, and poor pine land, not over 4 feet above high-water mark. From a passing examination of the mainland east of the lagoon it presented the appearance of low pine land unfit for cultivation. It is evident that no large settlement ever existed in the neighborhood of the canal. Unless marked changes have occurred in the land by the opening of passes since the excavation was made, there is no apparent reason why so much labor was bestowed on the work.
Along the Gulf shore, for a distance of 150 feet inland from high-water mark, there exists a flat sand bank about 4 feet above the general surface of the peninsula, and this deposit has apparently blocked up the Gulf end of the canal. The canal at the head of the Caloosahatchee connects with the river and ends abruptly inland.
The canal crossing Pine Island is less than 4 miles from its northern end, and there is no apparent object why the excavation was made. The width, depth, and general appearance of all the canals are the same.