Osprey Observer
By Charles Nelson
Every day, tens of thousands of residents cross over the Alafia River or one of its tributaries without giving a single thought to the role it has played in our history. Arguably, the Alafia River is our single most dominant geographic feature, and it has produced a treasure trove of historical facts and fiction.
Humans first settled along the Alafia River thousands of years ago. Remains of a sizeable native town were found in Gibsonton, possibly belonging to the Mocoso tribe that lived at the site during Hernando de Soto’s arrival in 1539. Further upstream, work and hunting sites dotting the placid river have been found and explored. These smaller sites provided ongoing shelter and sustenance to precontact natives.
Alafia
Florida
United-states
Tampa
Alafia-river-state-park
Hillsborough-county
Britton-hill
Riverview
Alafia-river
Peru
Gibsonton
America