Pinellas Point Mound
11-17-06
The Pinellas Point Temple Mound:
On a calm evening, the SPIRITS of St. Peterburg gathered for a double investigation. One member believed that she had a Native American spirit that occasionally passed through her area, and she had spied him in her home. Her house happened to be situated close to the famed Pinellas Point Temple Mound, so the SPIRITS simply investigated both locations that night.
The Pinellas Point Temple Mound is a local enigma as it is one of the best known of the Native American middens and one of Florida’s best hidden secrets. It has a remarkable legend that accompanies it: In 1528, a sailor by the name of Juan Ortiz was shipwrecked in the area. He was at the mercy of Chief Hirrihigua who was upset with the bloody tactics of Narvaez, a Spanish explorer who had invaded the area. Ortiz was saved from death by a beautiful Tocobaga princess, the chief’s daughter, which some believe inspired the story of Pocahontas 80 years later (take THAT, Disney). The princess even helped Ortiz escape when his life remained in danger.
Visitors still can climb the gentle sloping mound (access from Serpentine Circle, off 21st Street S.) and sit beneath a shady oak and wonder what life was like 1,000 years ago. For the SPIRITS, the mound was very peaceful. There were no unusual readings, no unusual images. One member, the homeowner whose house we had visited, brought a small bundle of sage to offer to the spirits. We left that at the top of the mound and left quietly. The mound showed no restlessness and we were not about to change that.
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Debbie’s Report: Pinellas Point Indian Mound, 11-17-2006
This is my second trip to the Pinellas Point Indian Mound in as many months. The first trip included SPIRITS team mates, Mary and Evie and was conducted approximately around sunset. This second visit was an evening visit with SPIRITS team members, Brandy, Mary, Jennifer, Jeanne, Denise, SPIRITS newest member Shaun and potential member Cher. Jennifer’s close friend accompanied us to the mound.
I used only my digital camera though I lugged my equipment bag up the mound with me.
There are two legends posted at this Togobaca temple mound.
The first (http://www.floridasbeach.com/cms/index.php?id=419 ) holds that this may indeed be the founding of the Capt John Smith and Pocahontas story as it is reported that Juan Ortiz, a shipwrecked victim in 1528, was endanger of losing his life by Chief Hirrihiqua as retribution for earlier Spaniard atrocities committed to his people. His daughter fruitlessly begged for Ortiz’s life and when clear that Ortiz was to be killed she helped him escape to another Indian village. The second disputed legend is recorded on the south side of the mound indicating that the mound is a Calusa Temple Mound and that a Spanish friar (frey) was lured to the top of the mound and bludgeoned to death by the Calusa Indians. This latter legend is reported by the website, http://www.floridahistory.org/floridians/arch1/indian/indsites.htm , to be incorrect in labeling this mound as a Calusa mound.
Jennifer and the rest of the group began with a recorded Indian chant/prayer that Jennifer had brought with her along with a sage smudge stick that she used during our time on the temple mound. The evening air was very cool making photography, especially with digital cameras, suspect due to potential visible breath vapors, not to mention smoke from the sage burning. I have included a picture that clearly defines what may happen when these elements are combined during an investigation. Under proper investigation condition this picture would have been considered a whopper of paranormal evidence. But, under our investigation condition is simply to suspect. I am also including a picture I took at the first visit to the mound during daylight hours.
I began my investigation by using the opportunity to take photos of the surrounding temple mound landscape where I had previously had captured an interesting photo during my first visit. I rejoined the group while Brandy was using the EMF meter as a tool of communication. She was asking if the spirit was a guardian spirit she received a spike. She then proceeded to ask whose guardian spirit, by naming each SPIRTS member individually, receiving only negative responses. I asked “are you the Guardian of this temple?” and the EMF meter spiked.
Since I was busy taking photographs of the mound in an attempt to recapture my previous experience I have very little else to report that does not revolve around intuition, which is based on a very personal level and therefore highly subjective and will leave these impressions out of this report.
Brandy's report:
Indian Mound: This is the Pinellas Point Mound where, according to the signs, a “friendly” priest was clubbed to death trying to bring Christianity to the Native American. The sign lists two different tribes as using the mound so we are uncertain which it is. It may be related to the original Native American mythology (the original “Pocahontas” story may come from this tribe. A Spanish man was captured by the tribe but the tribal princess begged for his life, saving him).
Jen brought a bundle of sage to burn as offering to the Native American spirits of the area.
We did get EMF, and I’m not sure why. There were light posts in the area, but I tested them and they produced EMF in a limited range.
While we were there, Denise sensed a guardian spirit. She sensed that he was there to see who we were, to let us know that he was there. Then he was gone. EMF also stopped when Denise announced that he had left.
No images to report via my camera.
Info on mound:
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Indian Mound
Shaun's report
Immediately upon walking up to the mound, I did feel an energy. We climbed to the top of the mound and burned sage and played some American Indian chants. I took pictures at the base and on the top of the mound, but didn’t get any unusual images.
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Cher's report
As for the Indian mound, I did get the feeling we were being watched; observed. Almost as if a ‘guardian of the mound’ was just making sure we were being respectful. No presence or energy, per se, yet that’s the feeling I got.
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Indian Mound
Shaun's report
Immediately upon walking up to the mound, I did feel an energy. We climbed to the top of the mound and burned sage and played some American Indian chants. I took pictures at the base and on the top of the mound, but didn’t get any unusual images.
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Jen's report:
PINEY POINT TEMPLE MOUND
Jennifer Sunday 11/22/06
Hunt Date: 11/17/06
Participants: Denise, Brandy, Debbie, Mary, Cher, Shaun, Jeanne, Ms. Vicky Loy, one smudge stick.
Weather: Chilly! Clear.
Introduction: Located on Pinellas Point Drive South near 20th Street in South St. Petersburg, this Tocobaga tribe temple mound rises 15 feet to a 22 by 66 foot top facing Tampa Bay. The remains of the plaza ramp is seen on the south side. A sign incorrectly labels the site a Calusa village.
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Ah…How I love the rich history of St. Petersburg! This is a mound directly down the street from me. I often like to take the dogs, friends or just myself there to make an offering and enjoy the atmosphere and energy it provides. The neighboring residents probably think I am a nut.
Historical Marker with Pocahontas Story
We arrived at the mound around 8PM? It was very dark out yet the mound is semi illuminated. We (Brandy) first read the story of Pocahontas (see photo above). This was the beginning of our giddiness. That was an interesting read. Jeanne, you need a bigger flashlight next time! (: We then ventured up what is said to be a ramp that they might have used for games, etc. I never knew this information until I researched after the hunt, so I need to analyze further….
Southern Side of Mound Showing Remnants of the 30 ft wide ramp
We were all starting to get a bit giddy and I ignited my smudge stick (juniper and something). Cher brought a tape of some Native American music. The mood was set, but I think the Guardian was just not in the mood to stay. We are pretty boring! (:
Northern Side of Mound Looking Up
As the giddiness grew Denise became more entertaining and I guess you could pretty much boil that down to the juniper combo! Good stuff. Denise I hope you made it home uneventful. (;
North East Side of Mound Looking Up From Banyan Tree
I had no experience up there and had no orbs, I also had no camera. (: As usual, had a great time and we need to go back in the warmer months. Enclosed in this report are some relevant pictures and “facts.” Enjoy!
Additional Piney Point Mound Information Can Be Found At:
http://www.floridasbeach.com/cms/index.php?id=419
Take a tour of the mounds. But please do not forget your respectful offering of shells, salt, copper, sage, tobacco….whatever feels right to you! (:
Two pugs present at the time of the images (8-4-08) showed no real interest in the mound. The black pug, Titania, seemed uncomfortable on the hill.
