Polk State Archaeology Club to Discuss Mysterious Snodgrass Island

The Polk State Archaeology Club will present a lecture on “The Mystery of Snodgrass Island: Indian Burial Mounds on Lake Pierce” on Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Dr. Richard Geringswald, a professor of archaeology at Jamaica Christian College in Kingston, Jamaica, will be the featured speaker.

Geringswald has long been intrigued by Snodgrass Island, located in southeast Polk County. He has interviewed Robert S. Carr, an archeologist who dug on the island in 1993 and 1996. Geringswald has also interviewed local residents who have hunted for arrow heads in the area since the 1940s.

Geringswald will discuss topics including the bones buried under the mounds; the purpose of a hog wire fence in the area; a beautiful female pilot who flew her plane in the nude, causing fishermen at Jenning’s Fish Camp to spill their beer and drop their fishing poles in the lake; and Mrs. Snodgrass, who was known for her mink stole and ring in her nose.

Various artifacts typical of Florida Indian lore will also be on display.

The lecture will take place in Room 254 of the Administration Building, located on the south side of the Winter Haven campus, 999 Ave. H. N.E. Attendees should look for the life-size cutout of Indiana Jones next to the classroom door.

For more information, contact Polk State Archaeology Club sponsor Kathleen Riley at 863-299-8430.