In 1539, Hernando De Soto and his men established a camp at the Indian mounds of Terra Ceia and rested there for six weeks before continuing their exploration of the southeastern United States.

One version of the origin story of the name says that this meant ‘Land of Rosia,’ a reference to Ranchero de Rosie, a Cuban fishing rancho located there at the time.

Cuban fishermen utilized the ranchero to meet with native people for trading and to catch and prepare fish for shipment to Cuba.

Originally from Bavaria, Germany, the Atzeroth family came to Terra Ceia seeking a warm, southern climate that would improve Julia's liver disease.

The Atzeroths built a small cabin on the north shore of Terra Ceia Bay and applied for 160 acres of land under the federal government's Armed Occupation Act of 1842.