Tampa’s forgotten tribe left behind giant shell mounds—and a rescue story older than Pocahontas

Wikimedia Commons/Kmclain2000

Chief Hirrihigua’s Daughter Saves Spanish Captive Juan Ortiz

The Tocobaga built a life on Tampa Bay’s shores for 600 years.

They ate well from the water’s gifts – oysters, fish, and clams – plus deer and wild plants from the land.

But in 1528, Spanish explorer Narváez showed up with 300 men and lots of hate. He cut off the chief’s nose and fed tribe members to dogs…

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS