Fort Myers Florida Genealogy – Access Genealogy

The Archaic Period of Lake Okeechobee

The Archaic Period in southern Florida, spanning from approximately 7500 BC to 500 BC, underwent significant environmental and cultural changes. The initial phase was marked by rising sea levels that transformed the landscape, while the latter phase saw shifts in cultural practices as hunting of large game diminished. Archaeological evidence from sites like Windover Bog suggests complex societies existed, with advanced burial practices and artifact diversity, yet many aspects of Archaic culture remain unknown, possibly due to submerged evidence or historical preservation challenges.

Biography of Alonzo Beal

Alonzo Beal, born on November 20, 1862, in Ohio, emerged from humble beginnings to become one of Shawnee County’s prominent landowners and cattlemen. After the death of his father, he helped support his family, moving to Iowa for better wages before settling in Kansas. His diverse experiences included farming, ranching, and clerking. Beal ultimately accumulated significant land holdings, including 1,280 acres, and became involved in local politics and civic organizations. He married twice, with his second wife being the daughter of a notable Kansas cattleman.