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<< Our Photo Pages >> El Portal Burial Mound - Artificial Mound in United States in The South

Submitted by Flyvapnet on Monday, 11 October 2010  Page Views: 19226

Pre-ColumbianSite Name: El Portal Burial Mound Alternative Name: Sherwood Forest Indian Mound, Little River Mound, Tequesta Indian Mound
Country: United States Region: The South Type: Artificial Mound
Nearest Town: Miami  Nearest Village: El Portal
Latitude: 25.853700N  Longitude: 80.1893W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
2 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
3 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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El Portal Burial Mound
El Portal Burial Mound submitted by Flyvapnet : Google Earth Street View image of El Portal Burial Mound. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Artificial Mound in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
A burial mound and accretionary midden identified with the Glades II period (approximately 200-700AD.) A grassy knoll in a residential neighborhood, roughly 2 meters high and 20 meters in diameter.

Details and sources follow:
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Southern Florida Sites Associated with the Tequesta and their Ancestors
Site Name / Site Type / Periods Represented / Site No. / Register Status / NRHP Level of Significance*
Little River/El Portal Burial Mound & Midden / Accretionary midden; burial mound / Glades II / 8DA20 / Not evaluated / local, regional
* NRHP level of significance based on review of sites made during this study.
[Source: Southern Florida Sites associated with the Tequesta and their Ancestors: National Historic Landmark/National Register of Historic Places Theme Study FI07010301.pdf (application/pdf Object)]

Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Florida Recreation and Parks Facility Inventory / Last Update: 07-06-2010
Unit Name: SHERWOOD FOREST INDIAN MOUND / Unit County(ies): MIAMI-DADE Category: MUNICIPAL
Primary Agency: EL PORTAL
Primary Agency Mailing Address: 500 NE 87TH ST EL PORTAL, FL 33138 Site City: EL PORTAL
Physical Location: NE 86TH ST AND 2ND AVE EL PORTAL Site County: MIAMI-DADE
Resource Class: ARCHAEOLOGICAL/HISTORIC SITE
Acres(#) / Current
Land / 0.1
Total / 0.1
Cultural Resources / Current
Sites/Structures / 1
[Source: Florida Recreation and Parks Facility Inventory Untitled Page]

"El Portal also boasts links to prehistoric Indian life at the Little River Mound, a four-foot-high, innocuous grassy knoll that is actually an ancient burial ground. The Little River Mound, located in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood, is the first archaeological site to be publicly recognized and preserved in Miami-Dade County." [Source: El Portal, Florida - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]

"On the quiet and residential 85th Street is a site of ancient significance. An elevated circle there is thought to be a burial mound for seventh-century Tequesta Indians. This Miami-Dade County Historic Site is a monument to their civilization. On a bench under the moss-covered trees, bikers can pause and contemplate an area that [historian, professor, and author Seth] Bramson tells me was a center of Tequesta life. Declared an historic site in the 1920s, the mound was the first such archeological discovery in the area to be protected with that designation." [Source: 2 Wheels Are Better Than 4]

"The Mound is known for the cave. It is debatable as to who built the cave. Some say the French Huguenots, some say the Tequesta Indians and others say a natural phenomenon. The cave had many uses during the years, including providing a cool place to sit during the summer days. The Indian Mound is one of the highest points in Miami-Dade and its history dates back to the year 600 when ancient Tequesta Indians migrated and settled at the Mound while passing by on the Little River. The Mound was one of the few areas above Water. It was actually six to eight feet higher than it is presently. Miami-Dade County declared the Indian Mound a historic landmark in the 1920s. It was the first such archeological site to carry this honor in the County." [Source: Village Archives — El Portal Village]

Please see National Geographic Traveler Miami ... - Google Books for a brief description of the Little River Mound.

Please see History of the Tekesta Indians of South Florida for a six-part summary of Tequesta culture.

I visited this site several times during the 1950s and '60s. What I saw there was a large grass-covered mound, approximately 20 m in diameter and 2 m in height. There was an entrance to a cave or tunnel on the south side of the mound, but that entrance was blocked by a locked door or gate.
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El Portal Burial Mound
El Portal Burial Mound submitted by Flyvapnet : Google Earth satellite view of El Portal Burial Mound and vicinity. (Vote or comment on this photo)

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"El Portal Burial Mound" | Login/Create an Account | 15 News and Comments
  
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Re: Sherwood Forest Indian Mound by Anonymous on Monday, 01 November 2021
I grew up in El Portal (c. 1948- 1958) . My best friend lived in Sherwood Forest and the mound was directly across from her house.

The "cave" entrance was across the street and may have been on the property of the owners there. It went under the road and was not visible from the mound itself. I saw it, but never went in. It was being used for storage, mostly wood, I believe.

I often wondered if it had been excavated and if any remains and/or artifacts were found there.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Sherwood Forest Indian Mound by Anonymous on Friday, 15 January 2021
The cave is located on property:



376 NE 85th St

Miami, FL 33138
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Sherwood Forest Indian Mound by Anonymous on Monday, 01 March 2021
    Yep, it is there still, but you would need to ask the owner to let you see it. I have been in it a few years ago. It is big enough to walk crouched over in.

    I think some of the confusion in this 11 year old thread is that there is a triangular park that is a block west of the mound (Sherwood Forest Park).

    Adam
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Sherwood Forest Indian Mound by Anonymous on Monday, 17 September 2018
Hello,

i am a current resident of El Portal and have been researching the history of this little city i have moved into when i stumbled onto your posts. thank you for all the information you have posted here, it has been very enlightening and it has been a pleasure to read. I ride my bike and sit on the mound often. The mound is still there, and it has a plaque pronouncing it a historical site. there is no sign of a cave or a gate as far as i can tell but next time i stop by the mound i will pay a little more attention to see if anything stands out in the areas you and your posters have discussed.

thanks again for all the great info,

regards ibisbird13@hotmail.com
[ Reply to This ]

Re: El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site by Flyvapnet on Wednesday, 10 November 2010
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Late this afternoon I received a communication from Jeff B. Ransom, County Archaeologist, Department of Planning and Zoning, Office of Historic and Archaeological Resources (at Miami-Dade County) and he attached two Portable Document Files: El Portal Archaeological Zone Designation Report.pdf and El Portal Burial Mound Designation Report.pdf. I'm also linking the Text file containing the three pertinent communications I've thus far received: El Portal Burial Mound Correspondence.txt. (All three of those electronic-mail messages are from public officials, so I'm not breaking any confidence.)

The file "El Portal Burial Mound Designation Report" contains much relevant information; and, since I'm a novice (at best) when it comes to judging what should or shouldn't be in site descriptions, I'm appealing to knowledgeable persons - such as Andy B and bat400 - to determine what to include and what to leave out. Also, as can be gleaned from Mr. Ransom's message to me ("El Portal Burial Mound Correspondence"), it would be extremely helpful to me if the aforementioned knowledgeable persons could suggest follow-up questions for me to ask him.

Personally, I'd like to see at least one old photograph of the Mound: one made before (apparently) development transformed the old "circular" road surrounding the Mound, which I recall, into the triangular affair that exists today. I'd also like to know why nothing resembling a mound is presently visible. Plus, what became of the cave (which I also recall)? Thank you very much for any assistance you, dear reader, can provide.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site by bat400 on Wednesday, 10 November 2010
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    After having examined the data you've found and posted, I have a few thoughts - none of which are conclusive.
    The photo you reproduced earlier in the forum thread looked like it dated from the 1970's (based on a car in the background and the hairstyle of the resident), the designation reports are dated from the early 1980's. Both describe a "mound" that is large in diameter and only 3-4 feet high. (This would mean at its highest - probably measured from street level.) Having seen a number of barely discernible mounds in the midwest with more impressive numbers, I'd guess that sometime after your childhood memories of a taller, more circular affair, the mound was substantially "smoothed" off by the road rerouting and some obvious infrastructure changes that go right through the long axis of the green space.
    The google street map view shows a below ground electrical line, a below ground run-off sewer, and a water line. (You can see the streetlamp, electrical boxes, storm grate, and faucet.) Your old black and white photo shows mature trees, the modern view shows none - except the half dead one at the east end of the greenspace, across the alley - a guess that other trees have been removed - another possible damage point for the mound if they were bulldozed.
    I'd take a guess that only a portion of the base of the mound is still in situ.
    The cave - well certainly no sign of it. Was it right by the mound? Or between the mound and the river? The El Portal village website has a map with the building dates of homes superimposed. Three of the homes south of the greenspace were build after 1970; several show signs of recent additions. It's entirely possible that the root cellar/cave was built over, or simply filled in to prevent children, tramps, or under "undesirables" from messing about in it.
    Contacting some of the names on the El Portal website, associated with the "archives" might get you some more definitive answers.
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site by Flyvapnet on Thursday, 11 November 2010
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      Bat400, I forgot to answer your question. The cave was at the base of the Mound and (as I recall) faced the river; but in the second photograph I recently submitted we're viewing the Mound's river-facing side and there doesn't appear to be anything cave-like there. I believe you're right about why such a cave would have been filled in, in spite of its having had a grate-like locked door. Perhaps the cave was made by mercenary artifact-hunters long ago, then secured when Dade County designated the site historic back in the 1920s; but, of course, that's merely speculation.
      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site by bat400 on Thursday, 11 November 2010
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        Hoorah! You found it. I was fixated on your original location also.
        If you look at the "parcel" filter on the El Portal Village site, the correct site shows up very clearly.

        And as far as your cave (or should I say "spring house") goes, its still there. See the grate conveniently outlined in white? Its about a foot by a foot and a half. That is the remaining opening to the "cave". And given the links and quotes you provided concerning a "spring", I'd guess that someone dug into the base of the mound where they saw a seepage part of the year - to create a spring house to keep food from rotting.
        [ Reply to This ]
          Re: El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site by Flyvapnet on Thursday, 11 November 2010
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          Wow, bat400, you weren't kidding about the Mound showing up clearly in the "Parcels" view at the El Portal Village site! Thanks for that.

          http://flyvapnet.com/ElPortalBurialMound/ElPortalBurialMoundParcelView.gif

          Now that I think about it, I'm sure you're right: The little grate must be what's left of the 'cave' entrance. It's right where I recall the 'cave' being located, but back in 1956-65 the entrance seemed - from what I recall - to be much larger; but, of course, it was probably altered subsequently for those public-safety reasons you mentioned.

          Thanks for your help with all this. (It must be nice to know what you're doing when looking for and studying sites.) I realize you've squillions of other sites to keep track of here, but please don't hesitate to pass along analyses or assistance. I need all the help I can get!
          [ Reply to This ]
      Re: El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site by Anonymous on Monday, 17 August 2020
      I Grew Up In El Portal.The Cave(Really Small),Was Located In Front Of A House Across From The Mound On The River.I Actually Went Into The Cave In The 70’s.
      [ Reply to This ]
    Re: El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site by Anonymous on Sunday, 15 June 2014
    I grew up on 92 St, and my best friend lived on 86 St. We were entranced by the Indian Mound, and there was an entrance door just below ground level on the land of the home directly south of the mound. An "old soldier" lived there, and it was said he was a mean old guy, Strange as it may be, he was the only one to put up Christmas lights (of the houses that surrounded the 'mound'. One day, we saw him leave his house (someone picked him yp - perhaps to go to the VA? and we jumped at the chance to go see the door that led under the mound. We kind of pushed on the door, thinking it would be locked, but it creaked open. We could see some kind of tunnel leading under the mound, but from reading about indian burial rites, we were not about to enter sacred ground. That's when kids had respect for old things. But for the record - the HILL was there, and it's just sad time has made it less, both in appearance and legend. dar8417@yahoo.com
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site by Flyvapnet on Sunday, 24 June 2018
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      Dear Anonymous, please accept my apology but I've only now seen your Comment from 15 June 2014. In the event, I thank you very much for your valuable contribution! (Ironically, nowadays I'm the old guy who has to get rides to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Portland Medical Center.) Can you recall approximately, year-wise, when you and your adventurous companions opened that door and looked inside? I'm impressed by your party of exploration having the respect and sensitivity not to continue past the doorway. Bravo! layaboutjoe@gmail.com
      [ Reply to This ]

Re: El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site by Flyvapnet on Tuesday, 09 November 2010
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At the risk of being perceived as fussy - and with apologies to those who update this site page and other site pages relevant to this matter - I humbly suggest references to 'Dade County' as it exists subsequent to 13 November 1997 be changed to 'Miami-Dade County'. To me, it's still Dade County because that's what it was called the entire time I lived there; but on 13 November 1997 county voters chose to change the name to Miami-Dade County. Blame them! I was long gone....
[ Reply to This ]

Re: El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site by Flyvapnet on Tuesday, 09 November 2010
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Today I received a communication from Ryan J. Wheeler Ph.D., State Archaeologist and Chief, Bureau of Archaeological Research, Florida Department of State, who informed me there's not a great deal of information about this site retained at the state level. The state refers to this site as 'Site No. 8Da20 / Site Name Little River'.

However, Dr. Wheeler forwarded to me copies of the relevant pages from the Florida Master Site File: DA00020.pdf. He also visited our site page and made the following observation:

"You will note that the site is recorded as a 'gv' or general vicinity, since the original files did not include maps and someone tried to plot the site's location based on the early site cards--I checked your web posting and see that you have a slightly different location (my guess--your plot is more accurate)."
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Sherwood Forest Indian Mound by Flyvapnet on Monday, 08 November 2010
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Today I received a communication from Rick A. Ferrer, Senior Planner, Miami-Dade County, Department of Planning and Zoning, Office of Historic & Archaeological Resources; and he informed me of (amongst other things) the following:

The mound was designated (protected) by Miami-Dade County in 1983 under the name 'El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site.'

Hence, I recommend this site be herein renamed El Portal Burial Mound & Archaeological Site. Mr. Ferrer also informed me a site report is on file and additional information exists; and he is forwarding my request for information to Miami-Dade County archaeologist Jeff Ransom, who will directly assist me.

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