Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The Tallest and Oldest Mound in Florida: Letchworth-Love Mound

It has been awhile, but we have been pretty busy here at the North Central FPAN office. Between visiting classrooms to teach children about archaeology and planning several other events that are coming up soon, it has been quite hectic! Despite our hectic schedule, there was still some time to visit another local archaeological gem-Letchworth-Love Mounds State Park! This park is located between Tallahassee and Monticello on U.S.90, approximately 6 miles west of Monticello. You will see the brown signs, but the road you are looking for is Sunray Road off of U.S.90. 

Large platform mound.
Many locals and visitors alike have heard of the mounds at Lake Jackson, and most would agree that they are quite impressive. But did you know that there are other mounds in the area and that some are even taller than those at Lake Jackson? In fact, the platform mound at Letchworth-Love Mounds State Park is so tall that it is the tallest Native American mound in the state! Well, now you know! The main mound at Letchworth-Love Mounds State Park is 46 feet tall! Now for us Floridians that is quite the elevation change, especially when you consider that this mound (like all mounds) was constructed by hauling baskets of dirt (weighing somewhere between 30 to 230 pounds) one at a time and dumping them in this location. Think of the planning and organizing it would have taken to create the many mounds located in our great state. Portions of the ramp, leading to the top of the platform mound, are still visible running down the side of the large mound. A village site associated with the mound complex is also located on the south side of the large ceremonial platform mound.

This mound complex actually predates the mound complex located at Lake Jackson. The Letchworth-Love mounds were constructed between 1100 to 1800 years ago and are thought to be associated with the culture known as Weeden Island (200 to 800 A.D.). The mounds inside the park boundaries only make up part of the complex, some of the associated mounds are actually located outside the park boundaries. This complex was huge! This complex consists of between 20 to 28 smaller mounds, including a small burial mound that was originally recorded by archaeologists in 1972. This location may have been chosen because of its close proximity to Lake Miccosukee, which would have provided ample fresh water and other aquatic resources.

Picnic pavilion at park.
This park is amazing and located right in our backyard! I find it amazing that so many of these mounds have survived in such a well populated area. It just goes to show that many members of our community and our state see these archaeological sites as a valuable resource for tourism, green space and as a source of knowledge about our  past! A visit to Letchworth-Love State Park is a great way to spend a day. There are picnic facilities and nature trails at both Letchworth-Love and Lack Jackson Mounds State Parks. Fall is coming and the weather is getting slightly cooler, so pack a picnic and visit a local heritage site. Who knows what you will discover! Until next time, go explore!