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The Little Manatee River State Park, rich in history, holds a captivating narrative of the surrounding communities. Southern Hillsborough County has been a melting pot of diverse individuals, from the earliest native Americans to the settlers, cowboys, entrepreneurs, and dreamers who have made their mark over the years.

The Uzita people were the original inhabitants of the mouth of the Little Manatee River at Cockroach Bay, dating back over 10,000 years. They engaged in fishing, clamming, fishing in the gulf, and even used shell deposits for constructing burial mounds. The Spanish expedition into Cockroach Bay provided early written accounts of the Uzita people.

Throughout the 1800s, Peninsular Florida remained largely wild and sparsely settled. Occasional Florida crackers traversed the landscape, following their cattle across the vast palmetto and pine flatwoods.

Logging camps would spring up overnight along the river and bays for harvesting bald cypress and longleaf pines, only to pack up and relocate to the next harvest site. The early settlers along the Little Manatee River sought solitude and escape, some potentially deserters from the army or the Second Seminole War.

The Little Manatee River retains its natural course, untouched by significant dredging or alterations. Even with aspirations of creating a more commercially viable port and trade channel in the 20th century, funding woes hindered these endeavors, leaving the river as one of the most pristine blackwater rivers in Southwest Florida.

The advent of the South Florida railroad in 1884 led to a population boom around it. Towns like Palmetto, Wimauma, and Willow sprang up along the railway line almost overnight. Willow, once a bustling lumber mill town on the south bank of the Little Manatee River, now stands as a ghost town reverting to scrub.

The increased accessibility due to the railroad attracted new industries to the area. Northern settlers were enticed by the warm climate, fueling the growth of tourism. As the century turned, the nation was swept by “citrus fever,” leading to the rise of truck farming in Ruskin and neighboring areas.

Echoes of the past, including old homesteads and remnants of tomato fields and light cattle ranching, still linger on the park property. While certain historical landmarks have faded into the flatwoods, stories passed down by locals and park personnel help keep the park’s vibrant history alive.

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