Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Historical Timeline

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary celebrates its 65th year in 2019. I personally have always had an interest in the history of places and how they came to be. While doing a little research into Corkscrew's history, I decided to compile some of the major events that led to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary that we know today. I hope you enjoy this timeline and learning about our history!

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Historical Timeline

1900 Audubon member Frank M. Chapman launched the first Christmas Bird Count.

1901 State-level Audubon groups joined together in a loose national organization.

1905 National Audubon Society founded.

1905 National Audubon began protecting the wading birds nesting within Corkscrew Swamp.

1912-1917 Rhett Green protected Corkscrew colonies.

Camp of Rhett Green.

1913 Rhett Green begun serving as a guide for people like Thomas Gilbert Pearson, F.M. Phelps, Oscar E. Baynard and W. F. Blackman who were documenting the bird life found at Corkscrew.

1917 T.G. Pearson estimated that the Corkscrew old growth bald cypress forest supported 100,000 Wood Storks.

1918 President Wilson signed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).

1944 Systematic logging of South Florida cypress forests started in Fakahatchee strand south of Corkscrew.

1954 Audubon buys the last great stand of bald cypress trees in Florida's Corkscrew Swamp. 5,680 acres were secured (640 acres were a gift from Lee-Tidewater Cypress Company) and the Corkscrew rookery became Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

1954 Florida Meeting Banquet. Watson B. Hastrip, Director and
Secretary, Lee Tidewater Cypress Company, and John H. Baker.

1955 Audubon warden Hank Bennett transferred to serve as Corkscrew's first manager.

Hank Bennett explores the Lettuce Lake. 

Photo: Allan D. Cruickshank.

1955 Sam, Bob, and Fletcher Whidden began construction of a boardwalk into the swamp.

1955 Collier Enterprises (now Collier Company) leased to the National Audubon Society, at $1 a year rental, 3,200 acres with the condition that the lessor shall donate the land to the society subject to the society’s purchasing that standing timber for a total of $25,000.

1956 Original boardwalk, totaling 5,600 feet, was completed.

1958 Monitoring of Wood Stork nesting and daily water levels began (still continues today).

1959 James Callaghan from the National Audubon Society builds 900 ft road from entrance of Sanctuary to boardwalk and gatehouse.

Gatehouse constructed by James Callaghan of National Audubon Society.
Photo: George Porter

1960 Immokalee and Sanctuary road construction completed providing improved access to the sanctuary.

1960 Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary officially open to the public. Admission charge was $1 and free to children under twelve.

1960 Boardwalk rebuilt.

Boardwalk Map 1960s.

1960 Hurricane Donna causes devastating damage to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and boardwalk repairs took place.

September 18th, 1960 after Hurricane Donna.
Photo: Donna N. Sprunt.

1962 Sanctuary Director house built.

1963-1966 National Audubon Society purchased the timber at the stated price and received a gift of 2,880 of the original 3,200 acres.

1963 Phil Owens hired full-time and eventually became the Director.

1964 U.S. Department of the Interior recognizes Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary as a Natural National Landmark.

Carl W. Buchheister, M. Stanley Josephs, Superintendent, 

Everglades National Park, on occasion of presentation of plaque

 on behalf of Department of Interior to Corkscrew establishing it as a

  “Registered Natural History Landmark.” March 23, 1965.

1965 Gulf American Land Corporation announced its plan to establish the Golden Gate Estates housing development. In partnership with the Ford Foundation the NAS purchased 2,640 acres adjacent to sanctuary’s southern border.

1968 Boardwalk extended into a loop.

Boardwalk Map 1970s.

1983 Ed Carlson becomes Sanctuary Director, serves until 2012.

1994 Living Machine wastewater treatment system built.

1996 Current boardwalk built.

Beginning of new boardwalk 1996. Photo: Clyde Butcher.

2000 Blair Audubon Center completed.

2007 Rare Ghost Orchid discovered at Corkscrew.

2009 Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

2010 Panther Island Mitigation Bank (2,778 acres) land transferred to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

2014 Landmark Cypress Tree project launched in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the rescue of the old growth cypress forest from logging.

2017 Hurricane Irma causes significant damage to the boardwalk.

2019 Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary recognized as a Wetland of Distinction by the Society of Wetland Scientists.

-Amy, Education Intern

References: National Audubon Society History, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary History