History

A ship slowly moving down the Manatee River.
Credit: Burgert Brothers Photograph Collection - USF Special Collections.  

Water resources within the State of Florida have undergone change throughout history; from periods during the ice age when most coastal areas were uplands to recent history where humankind have created canals to divert freshwater from land into the estuaries. This section of the Atlas includes links to historic information and the geologic record.

Personal Narratives (Oral History)

Narrative History Documents

Follow this link to read word-of-mouth histories of the habitat, wildlife and waters of the Orange County area.

Other Published Reports

Other Published Historical Reports

Find links and documents pertaining to the natural history of Orange County and its watersheds.