Independent Field History

Final Assignment Sample

Dennis Valdes

Miami Dade College

December 1, 2021

Location 1:

My first field research location was Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. I visited the park on November 10th, 2021. The land was first dominated by Utes tribe until the late 1700s. The Louisiana Purchase included the land that would be the park. In 1803 it became a part of the United States. Conservationist began efforts to protect the land from speculators and industrialist in the early 1900s. The Rocky Mountain National Park Act established the park in 1915 after several years of lobbying by conservationist.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to upgrade the park. Recruits built roads, trails, and buildings. Today over four million visitors a year can see the park thanks to the CCC.

The tallest peak is Longs Peak at 14,259 feet. Much of the park is above 8,000 feet leaving the natural landscape much different than South Florida. There are over 280 recorded bird species as well as 60 species of mammals including: elk, bighorn sheep and moose.

The Rocky Mountain National Park is an ideal vacation for anyone looking to see beautiful landscapes and enjoy the natural elements of high altitude. At less than two hours from Denver, it is easier to reach than it appears. Summer sees the most visitors with crisp air, flower blooms, and hiking opportunities, but it also brings large crowds. For cool air, snowy landscapes, and quiet, winter is perfect. November, see very little crowds and a feeling of having the park all to yourself. I enjoyed my last trip to Rocky Mountain National Park; it was my fifth time. I hope to go again in the future.

Location 2

My second field research location is the Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove, Miami. The Barnacle is the oldest house in Miami-Dade County still standing in its original location. It is located on Main Highway near Greenstreet Café. Although the area is lively with small businesses and restaurants, the story was not the same when the house was built in 1891 by pioneer Ralph Middleton Munroe.

Munroe was from Staten Island, NY and visited the area on vacation in 1877. Years later, his wife was diagnosed with tuberculosis and doctors suggested a change of climate was urgent. His wife, Eva would not survive, but Munroe decided to make South Florida his permanent home. The house was named the Barnacle because lines designed on the roof were reminiscent of the sea crustacea.

The Barnacle was sought after by developers during the 1960s, but the descendants of the family never sold the property. In 1973 it became a park and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it is managed by the Florida State Park System.

The area around the Barnacle has changed a lot in recent years but the location is still a peaceful oasis amid the noise of the city. Despite its small size it is a great site for birding. Guided tours are available for $3.

My visit was impromptu. It was the Friday after Thanksgiving, and I was meeting some friends for brunch at Greenstreet. While we waited for our table we ventured into the park and although I grew up in Miami, I have never visited the park. This was one time, I was glad to have to wait a half-hour for a table.

Bibliography

1. The Barnacle Historic State Park. Florida State Parks. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2021, from https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/barnacle-historic-state-park/history.

2. U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. Retrieved December 2, 2021, from https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm.

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