Seminole Village Attractions Memorialized in Beautiful Vintage Photos
Digital Collections x Special Collections: The Enduring Florida Seminoles

Entrance view of Musa Isle Indian Village. Photograph for postcard by Colourpicture Publishers, Inc.
1940-08-20
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Long before Disney World, Seminole villages were a hot tourist attraction in Florida.

There were two that opened in 1917 along the Miami River: Musa Isle and Coppinger’s Tropical Gardens Pirate Cove Indian Village. Musa Isle was originally on the south bank of the river just east of today’s Northwest 27th Avenue bridge. Coppinger’s Tropical Gardens was also on the south bank, slightly east down the river, where the north and south forks of the river met.

Both Musa Isle and Coppinger’s started as tropical gardens and citrus groves. Boats traveling on the Miami River could stop for fruit punch. After a freeze destroyed the tropical plants, both locations opened Seminoles villages, which became a major tourist draw for years to come.

Miami River at Musa Isle Indian Village
1941-01-25
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In the early 20th century, Seminole life was rapidly changing. Droves of new settlers flooded into Miami. They dredged and filled much of the Everglades to build the growing city.

As the only tribe that has no formal treaty with the United States government, Seminoles worked with trusted non-natives at Musa Isle and other tourist villages to stay financially independent. At these villages, visitors could see examples of traditional ceremonies, take guided tours of Seminole homes and visit a small market selling handmade wares.

Seminole Indian boy opening gator's mouth while man stands guard with rifle
1925
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Coppinger’s was the first of the two villages to introduce alligators. Musa Isla followed soon after. Alligator wrestling became one of the most popular events. Henry Coppinger Jr. was one of these alligator wrestlers and was known as “The Alligator Boy.”

Henry Coppinger, the Alligator Boy, capturing alligator
1930
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Musa Isle was also a trading post where Seminole hunters could trade pelts and skins.

These villages were heavily advertised and became popular spots for tourists and locals.

Sightseeing Miami
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A popular draw was the staged Seminole wedding ceremonies. Often those being wed were already married with children.

Tourist crowds at the wedding of Seminole Chief Tony Tommie and Edna John
1926
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Sadly, just months after the wedding ceremony of Seminole Chief Tony Tommie and Edna John (posted above), Edna John died from tuberculosis, a disease that affected many, especially those in communities without adequate sanitary living conditions.

Seminole arts and crafts were also popular and visitors to the villages could see women and girls making them.

Seminole Indian Micley Sams and daughter Nellie using sewing machine
1947-04-08
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Mary Weems points to moss in oak tree at Musa Isle Indian Village
1934-07-04
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Seminole Indian man, Henry Sam, pointing bow and arrow towards ground
1940-08-20
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Musa Isle, Seminoles and Alligators
1926
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