The early 20th century brought small logging and oil exploration efforts. The cypress trees of Big Cypress were prized for their rot-resistant wood, and sawmills began carving roads into the wilderness. The Tamiami Trail, completed in 1928, connected Tampa and Miami — slicing directly through Big Cypress.
This road changed everything. It brought accessibility, tourism, and environmental degradation in equal measure. Travelers began to camp along the route, often in improvised sites that would later inspire the creation of formal campgrounds like Midway.
The Seeds of Conservation
By the 1960s, much of Florida’s wilderness was under threat. Drainage projects, road construction, and pollution were disrupting the delicate water flow that sustained the Everglades and Big Cypress. Conservationists realized that if Big Cypress were lost, the entire southern ecosystem — including Everglades National Park — would collapse.
A turning point came when plans emerged to build a massive jetport in the middle of Big Cypress. Environmental activists, scientists, and local tribes united in opposition. Among them was Marjory Stoneman Douglas, whose advocacy helped stop the project. Their victory laid the groundwork for federal protection.
In 1974, President Gerald Ford signed legislation establishing Big Cypress National Preserve — the first of its kind in the National Park System. Unlike traditional parks, the preserve allowed for limited hunting and private land ownership, recognizing the area’s unique cultural ties. shutdown123