Introduction
Tucked between the sparkling Gulf of Mexico and the historic city of Pensacola, Florida, lies Big Lagoon State Park—a serene, biodiverse expanse of salt marshes, pine flatwoods, and coastal forests. This 705-acre park, established in 1977, forms part of the fragile and beautiful ecological transition between land and sea in the Florida Panhandle.
While visitors today come for birdwatching, kayaking, and scenic vistas, the story of Big Lagoon stretches far deeper—into thousands of years of Indigenous habitation, the military legacy of Florida’s western frontier, the rise of American coastal recreation, and the modern struggle to preserve Florida’s natural heritage. Big Lagoon State Park is not only a recreational escape; it is a living testament to the region’s cultural, military, and ecological history.
Ancient Inhabitants: Indigenous Peoples of the Gulf Coast
Long before the Spanish arrived, the region now known as Big Lagoon State Park was inhabited by Indigenous peoples, particularly the Pensacola and Creek tribes, ancestors of the modern Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Shell Middens and Coastal Culture
Archaeological evidence reveals that Indigenous communities thrived in the estuarine environments of northwest Florida for thousands of years, relying on fishing, shellfish gathering, hunting, and trade. They created shell middens—large mounds of oyster and clam shells—near the shoreline, some of which may still lie buried beneath the park's sandy soil.
These peoples maintained sophisticated societies with ceremonial centers, developed pottery traditions, and traveled the waterways by canoe, moving between inland rivers and the Gulf. The Big Lagoon area, with its abundance of fish, crabs, and wild plants, would have been ideal for seasonal camps or even year-round settlements.
The Spanish Arrival
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers, including Tristán de Luna, attempted to establish settlements in the region. However, poor planning, hurricanes, and disease led most attempts to fail. Still, the Spanish influence endured through missionary contact and later colonial struggles. shutdown123