Ortona, Glades County, Florida

[2] The prehistoric mounds, canoe canals and earthworks were constructed by Native Americans across a five-square-mile region along the north side of the Caloosahatchee River.

[4][5] A LaBelle investor and businessman, Jerome G. Attanasio, bought 360 acres of land southwest of Citrus Center.

[6] Afterward, settlers moved into Ortona, along the Caloosahatchee River, living in "houses built of cane poles and roofed over with cabbage fan palms," buying five to ten acre tracts of land.

[6] Lonnie Williams, with other members of the community, went to Fisheating Creek to collect cane poles to build the Ortona Holiness Church, featuring a "cabbage fan roof.

A larger school was built by the county on two-acres of land "behind Mr. Komer's house to accommodate the increased enrollment.

Focusing on school work was hard for the local students; "with plenty of hunting, fishing and chores, it was difficult to be very concerned about book learning.

[6] Without local fencing laws in the 1920s, cows grazed freely and dairy products were free, "if one had the determination and a drawdy pole.

[6] Owned by Don Melcer, Meadowlark Campground featured a two-story building, with workers living near the camp.

[6] At the same time, Ortona featured a beauty shop, store and bar for locals and "enthusiastic winter visitors.

"[6] Meadowlark Shores 55+ RV Park[7] River Oaks Subdivision[8] Turkey Creek[11] The Cane Grinding Festival is a fund-raiser originally for Ortona's volunteer fire department, with the firehouse being built by the community.

The festival features bluegrass music, clogging, arts and crafts booths, and barbecue chicken and rib dinners.