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Hundred Acre Hollows, Inc.

Nature preserve in Suntree / Melbourne, FL

June 29, 2017

The Hernandez Trail

The Ais Indians were some of the first inhabitants of Brevard County.  They were here when the Europeans began to explore Florida in the 16th century. Ponce de León stopped in Ais territory in 1513. The Ais stayed in this area because of the warm climate and the plentiful food from the ocean. They were non-agricultural, surviving on fish, shellfish, manatee, deer, and plants. Their houses were wood with palmetto thatched roofs. They were feared by neighboring tribes and the Europeans because they were known to be cannibals. Shipwrecked Spanish sailors were afraid of the Ais because they were “inhospitable.” It is thought that a few Ais survivors may have emigrated to Cuba when Spain left Florida in 1763.
The historic Hernandez Trail went right through the 114 acres. The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, of the Environmentally Endangered Land program, has a part of the Hernandez Trail which was cut in 1837 by the army under General Joseph Hernandez during the Second Seminole War. His troops followed old Indian trails that were on high ground now called the Atlantic Ridge which is about a mile wide and averaging 30 feet above sea level. The road went from St. Augustine to Ft. Pierce, connecting army forts. There is a historical sign on Hwy 520 in Cocoa that says the trail went ½ mile west of US 1. The housing subdivision to the north of the 114 acres, Capron Ridge, has a trail marker for the Capron-Hernandez Trail. The 114 acres is about ½ mile west of US 1. A visit to the Cocoa Historical Society uncovered an 1844 land management survey that shows the historic Hernandez Trail going right through the middle of plots 2 and 11, which are the 114 acres. The road was used for many years while settlers moved into Florida.
No Indian archeological finds would be there now since the 6 Rapid Infiltration Basins were built 30 years ago, and the land was dug up then.
The history of the area includes a 1944 photograph showing scrub plants on this land.
The Seminole Wars
Major General Thomas Jesup had fought in the War of 1812. President Andrew Jackson, former governor of the Florida territory, tasked him to get rid of the Seminoles in Florida. It was the country’s first large scale guerilla war. In the winter campaign of 1837, Jesup came up with a plan to divide the army into four columns, all heading south in Florida. The total force of the four columns was about 9,000 men. General Joseph Hernandez’s troops were divided into two columns that took the area between the St. John’s River and the Atlantic Coast heading to Lake Okeechobee.
Joseph M. Hernandez
Joseph M. Hernandez was a native of Saint Augustine of Spanish descent and a plantation owner who later became the Florida territorial delegate to Congress. The US government had no intention of offering citizenship to the Seminoles or other Native Americans in the Florida territory. They decided to confine the Seminoles to a reservation in the south of the Florida territory. Brigadier General Hernandez of the St. Augustine militia was eager to help to defend the city. In September 1837, his men captured King Philip, a powerful Seminole chief. Then they captured chief Yuchi Billy.
Brigadier General Hernandez is known especially for capturing Chief Osceola and Coa Hadjo on orders from General Jesup. On October 21, 1837, Hernandez left St. Augustine with his army column to meet Osceola. Osceola’s camp, seven miles away, had raised a white flag, not of surrender, but of a truce. Hernandez had orders to read the message from General Jesup and interrogate them with many questions. When Osceola didn’t answer, likely due to not understanding, Hernandez had orders to arrest them and take them to Ft Marion prison which was the Castillo de San Marcos. The soldiers quickly surrounded Osceola whose men didn’t have time to react, and if they had, they would all have been killed. Instead, the army captured 95 Seminoles and marched them back to St. Augustine where Hernandez paraded them through the streets. Chief Osceola was ill at the time with malaria and quinsy. He died on January 30, 1838, at 34 years old, at Ft. Moultrie in Charleston, SC. He was the most famous Native American, and a martyr and hero among the Seminoles. (Osceola and the Great Seminole War)
Major General Thomas Jesup’s order to capture Osceola stained his reputation. “There can be no question that the controversial capture of Osceola under a flag of truce stands to this day as one of the most disgraceful acts in the American military history.” (Osceola, p 221) In Jesup’s defense, he listened to his subordinates, General Eustis, Colonel Twiggs and other officers who urged him to write War Secretary Poinsett asking for a change in policy. On February 11, 1838, he wrote, “My decided opinion is, that unless immediate emigration be abandoned, the war will continue for years to come, and at constantly accumulating expense.” (Seminole Wars, p 146) His letter took two weeks to arrive in Washington. Before he received Poinsett’s answer to continue the offensive to capture or destroy the Indians, Jesup pleaded again, “To persevere in the course we have been pursuing for three years past would be a reckless waste of blood and treasure.” (Seminole Wars, p 147) Interestingly, Poinsett had been the country’s first ambassador to Mexico who brought the Poinsettia plant to the US. Poinsett was following the policy of former President Andrew Jackson. Van Buren was the president in 1838, but Jackson was still very influential in politics. Van Buren and Poinsett, under Jackson’s influence, were not going to go back on the Indian Removal Act because admitting the policy was an error was unthinkable. The Seminole War continued “as Jesup had warned, with a ‘reckless waste of blood and treasure’.” (Seminole Wars p 150)
How often since 1838 have wars continued due to the same mindset?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hatch, Thom, Osceola and the Great Seminole War, St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Ave.New York, NY. 2012
Knetsch, Joe, Florida’s Seminole Wars 1917-1858, Arcadia Publishing, 2003
Missall, John, and Missall Mary Lou, The Seminole Wars America’s Longest Indian Conflict, University Press of Florida, 2004
Motte, Jacob Rhett, Journey into Wilderness, University of Florida Press, 1963
Shoffner, Jerrel H., History of Brevard County, Vol. 1, Brevard County Historical Commission,  1995.
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Article by Anita / Interesting Facts

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit acting as caretakers to 114 acres of land in Brevard County. Our vision is to use this land to discover, study, and teach about Florida’s plants and animals to help sustain and enrich lives.

HUNDRED ACRE HOLLOWS, INC IS DULY REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS REQUIRED BY ITS SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. OUR REGISTRATION NUMBER IS CH52596. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

HAH will be open on the first and third Sundays of every month, from 6 to 8 pm for Sunset in the Hollows. Come early to help with community service at 5pm.
Hundred Acre Hollows Inc

hundredacrehollows

Ever wondered how a gopher tortoise gets into its Ever wondered how a gopher tortoise gets into its burrow…..? They use their entrance as a slide 😂
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#nature #gophertortoise #🐢 #florida #floridagophertortoise #2021 #naturephotography #gophertortoisephotography #reptiles #reptilephotography #floridareptiles #reptilesofflorida #floridawildlife #floridawildlifephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #hundredacrehollows #🐢🐢 #🐢🐢🐢 #gophertortoisehabitat #keystonespecies #reptile #floridanature #naturelovers
American beauty berries are currently blooming! So American beauty berries are currently blooming! Soon these lilac colored flowers will turn into the dark purple berry clusters after being pollinated. We have the bees to thank for that!🐝
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#florida #americanbeautyberry #beautyberry #floridanativewildflowers #floridanativeplants #floridanative #nativeplants #flawildflowerwatch2022 #flawildflowers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #naturelover #flowerphotography #lilac #pollinatorgarden #pollinators #bees #hundredacrehollows #floridanature #floridanaturephotography
A bird left a present for us on our Hernandez Trai A bird left a present for us on our Hernandez Trail Sign!😂 
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#floridanativewildflowers #floridanativeplants #flawildflowers #florida #floridanature #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #naturelover #floridawildlife #floridaplants #snake #snaketail #bird #birds #hernandeztrail #natureisbeautiful #natureisamazing #naturepreserve #hundredacrehollows
Cactus blossoms at Hundred Acre Hollows! . . . . . Cactus blossoms at Hundred Acre Hollows!
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#cactus #cactusblossom #yellowflowers #floridacactus #floridanativewildflowers #floridanativeplants #flawildflowerwatch2022 #flawildflowers #florida #floridanature #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #naturelover #floridawildlife #floridaplants #nationalwildflowerweek
Happy Arbor Day! This year marks the 150th anniver Happy Arbor Day! This year marks the 150th anniversary of this holiday where people around the world plant trees in its honor. With every use of  #arborday the Arbor Day Foundation will plant one tree, or up to 75,000 trees! So turn your posts today into a new tree planted to celebrate this amazing day!
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#arborday2022 #oaktree #planttrees #trees #plantatree #nature #naturephotography #floridanature #florida #floridawildlife #naturelovers #naturelover #happyarborday #arbordayfoundation #naturepreserve
Happy Earth Day!🌎 This year’s theme is ‘Inv Happy Earth Day!🌎 This year’s theme is ‘Invest in our Planet’ meaning that we need to work together to be able to take action for our planet. Here at Hundred Acre Hollows we devote our time to preserving this land for the wildlife that it inhabits, and will continue to do so in the coming years. Today and everyday it is important to think about what you can change, little or big, to help better our impact on the environment. If that’s donating, volunteering, or something else just know that you are making a difference with anything and everything that you choose to do! Happy Earth Day from the board members and volunteers of Hundred Acre Hollows!!🌎🌳 
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#earthday #earth #earthday2022 #earthdayeveryday #hundredacrehollows #sunsets #protectearth #protectwildlife #floridawildlife #florida #nature #naturelovers #naturelover #naturephotography #floridanature #investinourplanet #earthweek #wildlifeonearth #naturepreserve #beautyofearth #earthbeauty #🌎 #🌳 #floridanativeplants #nativeplantmonth #nativeplants #takeaction #plantsofinstagram #everydayearthday
There is now a small trail through the pepper tree There is now a small trail through the pepper trees mainly to show the impact that the pepper trees have. Underneath the pepper trees there are mostly dead sticks and nothing growing, with hardly any biodiversity. This is why it is important to remove invasive plants and plant natives instead!!
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#invasivespecies #invasiveplants 
#nativeplantmonth #nativeplants #florida #floridanature #floridanativeplants #floridanativewildflowers #flawildflowers2022 #nature #naturephotography #floridanaturephotography #naturelovers #naturelover #nativeflowers #floridawildlife #floridaflowers #naturepreserve #plantnatives #earthweek #earthweek2022
Happy Gopher Tortoise Day!!🐢 Here at Hundred Ac Happy Gopher Tortoise Day!!🐢 Here at Hundred Acre Hollows we have 467 active gopher tortoise burrows an increase since our 2020 survey where we measured 407 active gopher tortoise burrows. Gopher tortoises usually use multiple burrows throughout their lives, and the ones they abandon are then used by other animals. Because of this gopher tortoises are a keystone species. Their burrows provide shelter for over 360 other species such as the Florida mouse, snakes, and even owls. Without the gopher tortoise, many species would not exist. For more information check out the gopher tortoise link in the bio!
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#gophertortoise #gophertortoiseburrow #gophertortoisesurvey #hundredacrehollows #conservation #conservationphotography #wildlife #floridawildlife #wildlifephotography #protectthewild #naturepreserve #floridanature #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #naturelover #floridanaturephotography #🐢 #gophertortoiseday #reptile #reptilephotography #gophertortoisecouncil #keystonespecies #babygophertortoise
April is National Native Plant month!! Native plan April is National Native Plant month!! Native plants are important for preserving and protecting native biodiversity, so it is importance to replace the invasive plants in your yard with native alternatives! We have two native plant gardens at Hundred Acre Hollows that are frequently visited by happy pollinators and wildlife!
Some benefits of native plants include: 
- Provide nectar for pollinators
- They require less maintenance and water
- Support native wildlife
- Support natural habitats and ecosystems. 
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#nativeplantmonth #nativeplants #florida #floridanature #floridanativeplants #floridanativewildflowers #flawildflowers2022 #nature #naturephotography #floridanaturephotography #naturelovers #naturelover #americanbeautyberry #calamint #beachsunflower #nativeflowers #floridawildlife #floridaflowers #naturepreserve #plantnatives #nationalnativeplantmonth
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We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit acting as caretakers to 114 acres of land in Brevard County. Our vision is to use this land to discover, study, and teach about Florida’s plants and animals to help sustain and enrich lives. HUNDRED ACRE HOLLOWS, INC IS DULY REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS REQUIRED BY ITS SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. OUR REGISTRATION NUMBER IS CH52596. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.