Looking for something to do in Estero? Visit Mound Key. Located in the middle of Estero Bay is Mound Key an archaeological site managed by Koreshan State Historic Site – State Park.
Calusa Indians dominated southern Florida for centuries and resisted the Spanish explorers. Mound Key Archaeological Site is believed to be the ceremonial center of Calusa society.
The Indian shell mounds at the site rise more than 30 feet high and are estimated to date back nearly 2000 years. The site is only accessible by boat from the southern end of Estero Island, just north of Bonita Springs. Review the list of boat ramps in the Bonita Springs and Estero areas. The closest boat ramp and causeway area is at Carl Johnson State Park at Lover’s Key. Kayaks and canoes are available for rent.
Seasonally the entire Estero Bay and back water area is a no wake zone. Be sure to check the speed zones and adhere to the seasonal guidelines or risk getting a ticket for a manatee zone violation.
Be sure to take sunscreen and plenty of mosquito repellant. Open flames are not permitted due to drought conditions, and uh, the ability of the fire department to not drive there and put the fire out.
Mound key is a great day trip for boaters if they’re spending the afternoon at Lover’s Key Beach. It’s about a 10 minute boat ride away from the drawbridge at Fort Myers Beach by Lover’s Key State park.
Two items to be mindful of while visiting Mound Key.
- You may smell a skunk smell but it’s only a plant that produces the odor and probably not the live animal.
- Keep an eye out for the spiny orb weaver spider. They’re very unusual, brightly colored and have a shell sort of like a crab.
Related information: Check out this awesome Blueway map for boaters, kayakers and canoers.
Comments
Tags: Beach, Boating, Estero, Park, Things To Do
i am the great great grandson of john frank “hub” johnson des some reason there is a mix up over mound key and lovers key and who settled there in the 1800′s i have copie of the land the land title for mound key and everyone know about the johnson woman who spent the last days of the pirate black agustit life taking care of the dying man but it also say the koreshan but the johnson was in southwest florida years before them
Thank you. I did not know that.
yes there does seem to be a big mix up about mound key as Im the great great granddaughter of frank Johnson it would be great to compare stories with you and yes great great great grandma and grandpa did settle there first
Ed Johnson says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
November 2, 2010 at 4:35 pm
To: The Frank M. Johnson family members. I have been doing family history research on Frank M. Johnson as part of my Johnson family history. I have information on his father John C. Johnson and his mother Amanda Johnson and his two brothers Jesse D. Johnson and John Warren Johnson. Frank M. Johnson has five half brothers and two half sisters who were born to John C. and Mary Frances Walker Johnson (his 2nd wife) on their homestead in the Owens Community, 8-9 miles SW of Arcadia, Fl. Frank M., Jesse and Warren were noted on the Johnson homestead by the 1870 US Census. I have extensive information that I would like to share with his family members in return for any information they may have. Frank M. Johnson would have been my great (1/2?) uncle. I have the original Federal Survey and homestead information on Mound Key. I have met and talked with a number of his descendants. I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Ed,
I’ve also emailed everyone that has posted on this post and not heard anything back from the others. If I do, I’ll let you know.
Chris: I’ll do likewise. I have a picture, maybe two of Frank M. Johnson. He is buried in the Indian Springs Cemetery east of Punta Gorda Florida. I have been to his grave site; he may have a daughter buried close to him or vice versa. I’m listed in the Arcadia telephone book. Thanks, Ed Johnson
hub is buried in spring creek cemetery.hub was my momma’s grandfather.i was raised on coconut rd. until fishing was banned
Leslie, do you still live in the area?
Hi Chris thanks for keeping this site going so far I’ve found a few more family members I didn’t know was out there I’ve gotten a few old family pictures but love to find more out about Grandma Johnson’s mother Lucinda
and her family
my momma was john f johnson jr and irene johnson baby girl nancy also known as dink. johns nickname was sunny. and i moved away from coconut rd when i was 13 right after papa( john) died of colon cancer in 89
Hi Leslie Sidney was Hubs brother and my grandfather I was raised on pine island it would be nice to trade stories and and old pictures
leslie wyatt is the daughter of nancy johnson wich is john johnson daughter.
Leslie Wyatt: I would like to forward the information I have on Frank M. Johnson to you. Chris Griffith can forward my email address to you so that we can make contact. You have lots of kin folks in SW Florida. Thanks, Ed Johnson
PS: Frank M. Johnson was one of my (1/2) great uncles. His father, John C. Johnson was my greatgrandfater.
If any of you folks need each other’s email just send me an email at LifeInBonitaSprings@gmail.com. 239-273-7430 if you prefer to call.
Also, since you’re from families with such historical significance to Bonita Springs and Southwest Florida, if there is anything you’d like to do to contribute to a page built for your family, with stories or photos or even video if you’d like to tell a story. I would be willing do my best to help.
This is actually my own site and I have the ability to post, edit and host anything I choose so if you feel you have something to say, show or share I can guarantee it will be your own words and won’t get altered.
Chris
iris lasitter, i would like to more about our family history,so much is left untold. i am the granddaughter of john franklin johnson.
Iris: If you know of any more family members, have them contact me for information. There are a lot of them still living in the Lee County area. We have been making contact one at a time over the years, and exploring the history of the rich history of this family. Thanks, Ed Johnson
My name is Ashley Castaneda i am 13 years old and I’m the great granddaughter of John
Franklin Johnson and granddaughter of Diane Johnson.My mother (Iris Lasitter) had told me about this website and i would love to know more about my family and ancestors i think it’d be so cool to know where we all came from.
Welcome to Johnson Family Tree.
Hi my name is Kendra grand daughter of john Johnson and daughter of Diane Johnson sister of Iris Lasitter. I am also interested in learning more.There dose seem to be some confusion between Mary and Molly Johnson and where they origininated from.
Hi, We weren’t told much about our family tree but what I can provided you with a little information about John Franklin Johnson’s children and Grand children. My name is Kendra I grew up on coconut rd.with my Grandpa Johnson and his wife Irene and his 7 children including my mother Diane Johnson.I do know he was a Fisher man. Joe cousin Roy Johnson own the fish house down the steer from us.Grandpa also did a lot of farming and mendind of his nets. After his death on 1989 his children sold his property and most of them relocated in North Carolina,along with my sister Iris,brother Jason and cousins lowliest and Jerry Wyatt. I myself have tried moving out of state several times but keep being drawn back to Estero with my 3 son’s. I now live in San Carlos and work at coconut point mall ,ironic.
Great Grandma Johnson is Mary (Mollie) Johnson Frank M Johnson’s wife Mary Anne Johnson is Sidney Johnson wife son of Frank feel free to email me anytime
Kendra: Was your grandfather John F. Johnson also known as “IKE”; or was it John Franklin “Hub” Johnson? I have extensive information that I can email you on the Johnson Family. Send your email address to Chris Griffith. Frank M. Johnson’s wife was named Mary Foster Johnson she was called “Molly”. There are several pictures of her taken on Mound Key. Thanks, Ed Johnson
does anyone know who has the original deed to mound key ?
Maybe this will help your conversation. I created a closed group on Facebook called “The Johnson Family Tree”.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/352321054856589/
I created it and if you go to the group and ask to join, I’ll add you all. Then you can post picture, have more real time conversations.
ed ill have my momma contact yall. iris kendra and i are first cousins. hub is my moms grandfather.they never called him ike as far as she knew maybe it was elmer’s nickname
Ed,you are invited to our family tree on face book. Chris was so gracious to get this page started foe us.would love to here more from you
Kendra
Ed or anyone else who need to find the Johnson Family Group:
http://youtu.be/WkzTuwrOicY will hopefully help you find the right group and ask for permission to join it.