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Postcards of the Florida Seminole and Miccosukee tribes originated in towns where the Everglades and Big Cypress dwelling Indians came to trade. The natives dress and accessories presented a novelty to southern Floridas early visitors. With Henry Flaglers Florida East Coast Railroad and hotels, tourism became a rising industry. During World War I, a failing hide market forced Indians to find a new livelihood, and the Seminole Indian Village Attractions began in Miami. Indians sold crafts and wrestled alligators, embracing tourism while keeping their culture intact. Tourist-attraction Indians (later organized as the Miccosukee Tribe) moved their Everglades camps to the Tamiami Trail. By the mid-1930s, many families had opened their own tourist attractions, becoming the first native entrepreneurs. Economic reinvention, especially through tourism, has sustained these tribal groups, most recently with bingo and gaming.
About the author
Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes of Southern Florida is Patsy West's second book with Arcadia. These postcards are from the Seminole/Miccosukee archive, which contains over 11,000 images dating from 1852 to the present. Based in Fort Lauderdale, the archive has been a resource since 1972.
