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Flamingo Florida – Everglades Ghost Town Revived

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Flamingo, Florida, has a fascinating history rooted in the remote wilderness of the Everglades. Located at the southern tip of mainland Florida in what is now Flamingo Florida Everglades National Park. Flamingo was once a small but lively community in 1892 but was all but gone by 1910.

Flamingo Florida Everglades Visitors center at Everglades National Park
The newly completed Flamingo Florida Visitor’s Center and Everglades National Park.

Early History and Settlement of Flamingo

Flamingo was first settled in the late 1800s by a mix of fishermen, farmers, and people looking to escape the more developed parts of Florida. The area was named after the flamingos that were once abundant in the region. Life in Flamingo was difficult due to its isolation, harsh environment and swarms of mosquitoes, but the settlers were resilient.

By the early 20th century, Flamingo had developed into a modest community. It had a post office, a school, and a few businesses catering to fishermen and locals. The town was known for its fishing, with residents catching mullet, snapper, and other fish in the surrounding waters. However, the community remained small, with around 50 to 100 residents at its peak.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Flamingo was part of a thriving but controversial trade – the exotic feather business. This trade was driven by the high demand for feathers, particularly those of wading birds like egrets, herons, and flamingos which were highly prized for fashionable hats and accessories.

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Flamingo Florida ghost town residence
This picture taken in the 1920s shows the remains of a residence of previous years. Harsh conditions lead to abandoned shacks. Source: Florida Archives

The feather trade, often referred to as “plume hunting,” was fueled by the booming fashion industry, especially in Europe and the United States. Feathers from exotic birds were seen as symbols of status and elegance, and hats adorned with these feathers became must-have items for fashionable women in the late 19th century.

Hunters would capture and kill birds, then transport the feathers to markets in Key West, Miami, and beyond, where they were sold to hatmakers and fashion houses.

The impact on bird populations was catastrophic. It is estimated that millions of birds were killed during the height of the plume trade, and some species, like the snowy egret and roseate spoonbill were brought to the brink of extinction. The once-abundant flamingos that gave the town its name were also heavily hunted, contributing to their decline in the region.

Challenges and Decline of Flamingo Florida

The devastating effects of plume hunting eventually led to public outcry and the rise of conservation efforts. The Audubon Society, founded in 1896, played a key role in advocating for the protection of birds. Public pressure, combined with the efforts of early conservationists, led to the passage of laws that restricted the hunting of birds for feathers.

One of the most significant legal measures was the Lacey Act of 1900, which prohibited the interstate trade of illegally obtained wildlife, including feathers. Additionally, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 provided federal protection for many bird species, effectively ending the legal feather trade.

Flamingo Florida Everglades Ghost Town
This 1957 postcard cover from Flamingo Florida shows the Flamingoes that were popular in the park.

Flamingo faced numerous challenges that eventually led to its decline. One of which was the ban on hunting birds for feathers.

In addition, the town’s remote location made access difficult, and it was vulnerable to hurricanes, which frequently battered the area. By 1912 Flamingo’s population was gone.

The rise of conservation efforts in the 1930s also led to the establishment of Everglades National Park which gradually absorbed what was left of the town. By the 1940s, Flamingo had become part of the park and only remnants of the town remained along with rumored spirits that haunted the former town.

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Flamingo Florida Marina circa 1950s
This picture of the 1950s Flamingo Florida Marina is in stark contrast to what the new one looks like.

Transition To An Outpost and Park in the Everglades

After the town was incorporated into Everglades National Park, Flamingo became a ranger station and visitor center. However, it never regained its former population and most of the original buildings were abandoned or demolished. In the 1950s, the National Park Service constructed new facilities including a lodge and marina, to accommodate tourists. But Hurricane Wilma in 2005 dealt a severe blow to the area, destroying much of the infrastructure.

Today, Flamingo the original town, is considered a ghost town with only remnants of its past accessible only by one of the marked trails in Everglades National Park.

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This article originally appeared here and was republished with permission.

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