Explore Florida’s History at Jungle Prada Mound Complex

The Jungle Prada Mound Complex in St. Petersburg, Florida is one of the largest mound sites in the Tampa Bay area. Though much of it was destroyed prior to the 1950s, like many of Florida’s Native American mounds, Jungle Prada still encompasses three mounds on public and private land.

I visited Jungle Prada twice this year, once on a quick tour of the Native American mounds around Tampa Bay. The second time with a photo group. Both times provided unique experiences and views. Even if you only have an afternoon, it’s possible to see the city park and tour the private land in one afternoon.

The First Visit to Jungle Prada

On a hot and muggy July morning, I set off early to arrive at Jungle Prada by 8:00 AM. On that day, I planned to visit five Native American sites in the area and knew that the summer heat would quickly put a stop to afternoon explorations. So, I found myself at Jungle Prada early. Scarlett occupied a space in an empty lot except for a couple of trucks hitched to boat trailers. (There’s a boat ramp at this park.) GoPro, Canon, and phone in hand, I set off to explore what is now Jungle Prada de Narvaez Park, a St. Petersburg city park.

The park now includes the mounds, which were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003; a boat ramp; a fishing pier; and a boardwalk through mangroves to the bluffs at the water’s edge. I filmed a complete walk-through with the GoPro which you can watch below:

The most beautiful part of the park, for me, is the shaded mounds. Maybe it’s just me, but it felt mystical walking beneath centuries-old oaks and among native plants such as native coffee and American beautyberry. The rising sun sparkled between branches, setting off starbursts and sending dancing light to the ground.

Several times I felt called to stop and close my eyes. Ignore the sounds of traffic just a few hundred feet away. Breath in the past and connect with those who lived here hundreds of years ago.

About the Mounds at Jungle Prada

The mound complex originally included a temple mound, a few burial mounds, a mound where the chief or other elites lived, dwelling mounds, and many kitchen mounds where refuse such as bone and oyster shells were discarded. This village occupied approximately 24 acres and was one of the largest in the area. Most of the mounds were destroyed in the 1920s to build local roads. A burial mound to the north of the park was leveled at the same time to make room for a nightclub. The building still stands there and is now the Jungle Tavern. The two mounds in the park which remain might have been a temple mound and plaza. The largest of the mounds extends onto the private land which is Sacred Lands.

Artifacts and radio carbon dating show that this village was first inhabited around AD 1000 with the major mound-building activity occurring from the 1300s to the 1500s. European artifacts also show that the Tocobaga Indians which inhabited this village had contact with early Spanish expedition of Panfilo de Narvaez in 1528, supporting written records from de Narvaez’s second-in-command, Cabeza de Vaca. A marker at nearby Abercrombie Park states that de Narvaez made landfall near there on April 15, 1528.

The First Mass in Florida

A marker near the boat ramp and fishing pier states that this area was the site of the first Catholic mass in Florida. According to the marker, Father Juan Xuarez, OFM, celebrated Easter mass ashore on the morning of April 16th. The de Narvaez expedition faced extreme hardships after leaving the area a few days later. Of 300 men which started out on the land expedition, only four survived.

Sacred Lands: The Second Visit to Jungle Prada

A few months later in November, one of the photography groups I belong to held a photowalk at Sacred Lands, the privately-owned mound at Jungle Prada. The Anderson Family has owned this property for several generations. David Anderson provides a detailed and well-researched tour of his family’s property which includes the gardens, waterfront area, former greenhouse, and the mound. Sacred Lands also hosts private events such as weddings, drum circles, flute circles, meditation, and other public events.

The mound at Sacred Lands extends into the adjacent city park. At twenty-three feet, it was one of the tallest mounds at this site. It appears to have had a ramp leading to the top and was likely a temple mound used for ceremonial purposes.

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Follow me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. And if you’re looking for a great community for sharing travel tips, discounts, secret spots, and hidden gems, go join my Facebook group, Florida Travel Tips & Secret Spots.