TRAPPER NELSON INTERPRETIVE SITE
Posted by: 
footTRAX
N 26° 58.577 W 080° 09.798
17R E 583032 N 2984083
Location:
County: Martin
City: Hobe Sound
Waymark Code: WM4P46
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 09/14/2008
Views: 44
When he arrived from New Jersey in the early 1930s, Vincent Natulkiewicz, also known as Vince Trapper Nelson found the area still teeming with wildlife. For decades he lived off the land, supplementing his diet of raccoon, gopher tortoise, opossum and with fruit from his citrus grove. In addition to trapping he made his living by developing a business that he called Trappers Zoo and Jungle Garden. His docks, cages, cabins and shelters were hand made from pine trees. While he lived there, Trapper introduced hundreds of tourists and local visitors to the rivers mystery and beauty, building the image of Eden in South Florida. Trapper Nelson lived in his camp until his mysterious death in 1968. The Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site is a rare survivor of a formerly common building type, exemplary of a vanished occupation and lifestyle, enhanced by its location in equally rare pristine woodland. Trapper Nelson actively engaged in efforts to preserve the Loxahatchee River and to protect his ownership of large tracts along its banks. Trappers estate was sold by his family to a developer. The Florida Park Service acquired the estate through a land swap and maintains and protects the site for future generations to enjoy.
Marker Number: F-815
Date: 2006
County: Martin
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: THE JONATHAN DICKINSON STATE PARK AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Website: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark.
Please post a photo at the marker location.