Have you ever read a book you could never forget? A Land Remembered is one of my favorites. I am not alone, as the book has been ranked #1 Best Florida Book eight times by Florida Monthly Magazine.
Author, Patrick Smith tells about the life of Tobias Maclvey, a cow hunter who battled storms, rustlers, and mosquitos to build a kingdom out of a swamp. I enjoyed traveling back through time with Tobias as he rode his horse through the Florida scrub to round up free range cattle. Smith’s words inspired me to visit the cow camp at Lake Kissimmee State Park, where history comes alive.
One hundred fifty years ago, Florida had few roads, no railroads, and none of the modern conveniences we enjoy today. Pioneer families survived by hunting wild animals. The early settlers discovered the land contained thousands of free range cattle and horses originally brought to America by the Spanish. A market for beef developed in Cuba and soon Florida cow hunters traveled by horseback through the wilderness, catching cows and herding them to Punta Rassa, near Fort Myers.
I meandered down the trail to the cow camp surrounded by huge live oaks draped with Spanish moss.
The camp consisted of a holding pen for the cows and a primitive shelter for the men.
My husband and I joined the group around the fire. Rick, the one and only cow hunter on the premises served us black coffee he had brewed over the open flame.
I took one sip and handed my serving to Herb. How can a place with so many cows, have no cream?
Rick explained that unlike the cowboys of the west, Florida cow hunters used trained dogs to drive their cattle. The many marshes, hammocks, and flatwoods of the Florida landscape prevented the use of the lariat.
The cow hunters carried a whip, known as a drag. The loud crack of the drag moved the cattle along. Because of this the cow hunters became known as “crackers.”
Rick emphasized that the crackers did not whip the animals, the drag was only a noise maker.
Once the cattle were delivered to market, the crackers were paid in Spanish doubloons. Gold became the common currency of the south Florida frontier.
The cow camp is open every weekend from October 1st to May 1st. For more information go to Lake Kissimmee State Park.
debbieburton.blog 
Do cows live there or do they just wander in sometimes?
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Given how healthy they look, they live and graze on site. I imagine the caretakers need to go out in the field and round them up for the weekend presentation. Thanks for your interest in my blog.
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Loved the book, the group and this state park. It has remained one of our favorites. What’s great blog!
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Did you know the “wild horses” at Paynes Prairie Preserve are descendants of cracker horses?
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You know I love that book as well. As it happens, today I went to hear Native American, Jimmy Sawgrass, talk about all the tribes in Florida. He elaborated on how the Florida Indian tribes used a variety of animals, including the wild cattle, as a means of many life resources. I knew where the “cracker” expression originated thanks to Smith’s book. If you haven’t been, visiting Sawgrass at Fort Christmas is well worth the trip.
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Thanks for your suggestion regarding Fort Christmas. I’d love to hear Jimmy Sawgrass. Local parks have much to offer visitors and residents and the admission fees are minimal compared to theme parks.
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