Part 4/10:
Noteworthy among the challenges were pestilences such as mosquitoes described in Minnie Gatewood's diary from 1892, chronicling the trials of life on the frontier. Other hardships included crop failures and conflicts with wildlife, which necessitated a strong sense of community and self-reliance among these settlers.
The Rise of a Community
In 1891, CG McKinney emerged as a key figure by establishing the first post office on the Gulf Coast south of Fort Myers. Meanwhile, other early founders opened trading posts that facilitated relations between residents and the Seminole Indians who inhabited the nearby areas, allowing for the exchange of goods and culture.