Editing Winter Haven, Florida (section)

===Pre-history===
The [[Timucua]] and the [[Calusa]] were the earliest known inhabitants of the Winter Haven area.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Polk County |url=https://www.polkcountyhistory.org/history/ |website=Polk County Historical Association}}</ref> Both of these groups were deeply affected by war and disease from the Spanish conquest of Florida in the early 1500s. The Timucua were particularly affected by the expedition of [[Hernando de Soto]]. By the 19th century, both these groups no longer existed. During these expeditions the Spanish explorers claimed the entire peninsula of Florida for the [[Spanish monarchy]].

In the 19th century the [[Muscogee (Creek)|Creek]] and the [[Seminole]] were known to live and hunt in this area.<ref name="polk.wateratlas.usf.edu">"The Naming of Lakes in Polk County", Joe Spann, Polk County Historical Library, Bartow, 2007, http://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/Naming%20of%20Polk%20Lakes.pdf</ref> During the [[Seminole Wars]] the Seminole leader, Chipco, and his followers were known to live in the Winter Haven area. Several small skirmishes during the war were fought in and around Winter Haven.<ref>The Naming of Lakes in Polk County, "Lake Hamilton", Joe Spann, Polk County Historical Library, Bartow, 2007, http://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/Naming%20of%20Polk%20Lakes.pdf</ref>