Indigenous Inhabitants and Early Ecology
Long before European settlers arrived, the area surrounding present-day Highland Park was inhabited by Native American groups, including the Tocobago and other regional tribes. These communities relied on Lake Bonny and surrounding wetlands for fishing, hunting, and gathering.
Archaeological findings, such as shell middens and stone tools, reveal a sophisticated understanding of the ecosystem. Seasonal patterns dictated settlement locations, with communities moving inland during dry periods and along the lake during wet seasons. This intimate knowledge of the land laid the foundation for later agricultural and settlement practices.
European Exploration and Colonial Influence
Spanish explorers reached central Florida in the early 16th century, establishing transient camps and trade networks. Although permanent European settlements did not initially take root in Highland Park, the region was influenced by Spanish and later British colonial interests, particularly in mapping waterways and exploiting timber and wildlife resources.
Early contact introduced new plant species, animals, and European trade goods, while diseases and conflicts dramatically impacted indigenous populations, leading to population decline and cultural disruption. shutdown123