Immokalee, Collier County’s largest non-coastal community, has long been associated with sprawling cattle ranches and a thriving agricultural economy. The region was originally occupied by the Calusa Indians and, centuries later, by the Seminoles, who set up temporary camps on the high prairie land during their seasonal hunting expeditions.
A colorful mix of hunters, trappers, cowmen, missionary, and Indian traders established the first permanent settlement in the area by 1873, and provided much of its early frontier character. William Allen showed up, fleeing from the hurricane of 1873 from Sanibel. From
this permanent family, a new community began to grow. Some have names lost to us today; other descendants are still among us. The Carson’s settled in the area that carried their family name, Carson’s Gully. The Wilson’s moved to the north end of Lake Trafford. William Brown, the Indian Trader, moved his family to the new community, also. In 1897, the federal government acknowledged the community as “Allen’s Place”. Prior to this time it was known
as Gopher Ridge. Gopher Ridge was so name by the Miccosukee Indians, for the abundance of tortoises in the area.
The 1900 census listed the name of Allen’s Place and acknowledged approximately 25 families on and around what is now known as Immokalee. The town changed its name from Allen’s Place to Immokalee in 1897, after a Seminole word meaning “My Home” or “His Home.”
