Highlands Hammock State Park

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Highlands Hammock State Park

Katie Altvater

8 November 2007

            With the sunlight streaming through the canopy overhead and a glimpse of the wildlife scurrying away out of sight, state parks are a wonderful place to enjoy a beautiful day. Highlands Hammock State Park is one of the original state parks in the state of Florida, and in my opinion it is one of the most beautiful. Highlands Hammock offers many opportunities for family fun year round. The Hammock carries a great deal of history in its name, along with being significantly influenced by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and with everything in its past, it is still making an impact today.

            The area of Highlands Hammock was first named Hooker Hammock. The name came about because of the fact that Captain Hooker had a “cow camp” a little west of the Hammock. He was a captain during the Indian wars in the 1840s and 50s. The authorities claim that Captain Hooker never owned the land, but rather Jonathan Skipper had bought 40 acres in 1881, from the Atlantic Land and Improvement Co. Skipper developed only a small portion of his land, just enough for his homestead and a small orange grove. By 1920, Skipper’s son, Chesley Skipper, had acquired the title to several hundred acres of the Hammock and the surrounding area. It was at that time that a group of Sebring businessmen formed a corporation called Hooker Hammock Farms. The intention of the corporation was to promote farming in the area. They bought the Hammock for fifty dollars per acre for a total of $22,500, from Chesley Skipper. Only a few of the tracks of land were resold to Sebring residents and as a result most of the land remained un-cleared (Altvater 3-6). The local people did not agree with the idea of turning the Hammock into farmland (“Park” 6). So during 1929, a movement began by the citizens to designate the Hammock as a national park or monument (Altvater 8). It was at that time when they vowed to protect and preserve the land (“Park” 6). According to the Highlands County News, of February 21, 1930, Hooker Hammock was inspected by a National Park official of the Department of Interior, Roger Toll, and chairman of the Tropic Everglades Park Association of Miami, Earnest F. Coe. The officials were greatly impressed with the beauty of the land and the potential of it as a park. At that time the Hammock included about 480 acres. After a second inspection a few weeks later, it was expressed that the Hammock project was too small to interest the National Park Service, especially without the help of the state. So the community decided to continue the project through private subscription. Later in 1930, the Tropical Florida Parks Association was formed. It was then that the board members began to contact property owners in regard to buying the land from them. Many of the citizen owners sold their land eagerly and a few land owners generously gave their land without accepting pay for it (Altvater 8-11). The following year, while the citizens were still trying to gain the titles of the land, the Roeblings became involved in the project. The Roeblings were among the Park’s greatest influences, contributing over $400,000. The first $25,000 contribution was made for the purpose of purchasing the land (Altvater 109). In 1931, the park became accessible to the public for the first time, and the same year on March 15, the dedication ceremony took place (“Park” 6). The Civilian Conservation Corps, also known as the CCC, came to the Hammock in 1934 and worked there until 1941. The Hammock became Highlands Hammock, Inc. in 1935. Furthermore, by 1942 the Hammock became widely known as Highlands Hammock State Park (Altvater 57).

The Civilian Conservation Corps [CCC] played an important role in the development of Highlands Hammock. According to C. R. Vinten, the CCC boys arrived at the Hammock in 1934, where plans were made to develop a Botanical Garden and Arboretum. The work crew consisted of 200 men, who were mostly untrained teenagers. They were to be directed by project superintendent, Allen C. Altvater, along with a technical and administrative staff, while the U.S. Army took care of the cooking, teaching, and other recreational activities. The CCC workers worked on fences and roads, cleared land and planted trees and other plants, and constructed buildings. All of the original buildings in the Hammock were built by the CCC, which include the refreshment buildings, museum [which was formally the auditorium], the resident area, the picnic areas, and a greenhouse. They did more than just build the buildings. They constructed them with timber harvested with their own hands right out of the Hammock’s land and installed all electric wiring and plumbing. Due to the start of World War II, the CCC Camp closed on November 30, 1941 (Altvater 53-56).

Highlands Hammock State Park offers many activities to the community today and year round. To begin with, the park offers camping. Family camping, youth camping and primitive camping are all available. In the family campground every amenity one could imagine on a camping trip is available: restrooms, showers, water, access to electric power, and more. The family sites are shady and are close to trails, the museum and the restaurant. The youth camping grounds are also accommodated with restrooms, showers, water, and electricity. In addition, it comes with a picnic area and a fire pit. Tony Russell from Dania, Florida, said this about the park, “Highland’s Hammock turned out to be perfect. It was rugged enough to be true camping, but had just the right amenities to keep the stress low for me and my son” (qtd. in “Testimonials” 1). And finally, the primitive site, it is nothing other than wilderness (“Highlands Hammock State” 1). Campsites are open all year round for a small fee of $18 (“Park” 1).

            The next attribute the park has to offer is the trails. First, is the three mile loop. It is paved and open to vehicles. The loop is ideal for biking, skating, and jogging. Second, are the nature trails. There are a total of nine nature trails in the park. They wander through the cypress swamp, pine lands, hardwood swamp, and much more (“Highlands Hammock Walking” 1). And finally, there is the horse trail. This is an eleven mile trail along the fire lane and around most of the park. The fee for an individual to bring his or her horse is $6, and for a group of four the cost is $14 (“Park” 2-3).

The museum shows the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The displays show the events of the 1930 to 1940 time period (“Park” 7). The museum is interactive with activities for all ages and is open from 9:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon (“Park” 1).

The park also offers tours. The tram tours are about one hour long. Park rangers take the riders by tram on a trip to the most natural and remote areas of the park. On these rides many types of wildlife may be sighted. The tram tour costs only four dollars per adult and two dollars for children ages six to twelve years of age. Park visitor Ellen Marshall from North Fort Myers, Florida reported, “We took the tram tour and the kids saw many alligators and birds. Ranger Lewis made plenty of stops to keep us informed along the way” (qtd. in “Testimonials” 1). The guided walk tours are offered from November to April. On these tours a ranger leads a group on one of the nature trails. It is interactive and a lot can be learned about the wildlife, the park, and its history. The trail is about a half mile in length and the walk lasts about 45 minutes (“Park” 5).

Highlands Hammock offers much more than what was previously mentioned. Other activities include concerts, picnicking, and a playground for the kids. An amphitheater is also available for rent, making the Hammock a great place for any special occasion. The park also hosts annual runs, such as the Firecracker 5K on the Fourth of July and the Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving (“Park” 5).

In conclusion, Highlands Hammock State Park is a wonderful place that is rich in history, dating all of the way back to the early 1900s. Without the help and influence of the CCC many of the features and structures of the Hammock would not be available to us today. And finally, the park offers many attractive activities for people of all ages to enjoy as they continue being a part of its living history.

Works Cited

Altvater, Allen: Compiled and edited by. “Highlands Hammock.” 1966 and 1979. CC# 975.955 HIG.

“Highlands Hammock State Park, a Florida State Park near Avon Park, Lake Placid, Sebring.” 19 Oct 2007 <http://www.stateparks.com/highlands_hammock.html>.

“Highlands Hammock Walking Trails.” Park Brochure 2007.

“Park Summary for Print - Highlands Hammock State Park.” Florida State Parks. 26 Oct 2007 <http://www.floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock/ParkSummary.cfm>.

“Testimonials for Highlands Hammock State Park.” Florida State Parks. 26 Oct 2007 <http://www.floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock/Testimonials.cfm>.