Welcome to Caxambas Publishing
The company with a passion for Florida history.
Caxambas Publishing Company was developed to document and promulgate the history of the Marco Island area.
Although modern Marco Island was developed in the early 1970’s few books, documents, or pamphlets had been published to record island lore, information about its people and the incredible history of early fishing, farming and clamming industries. The definitive book about pioneer life on the island had yet to be written.
In the 1990’s many descendents of early pioneers were still living in the area who could recall the struggle, hardships, and pleasures of daily life on Marco Island.
Caxambas Publishing interviewed many of these descendants and documented the stories they had to tell. After much research, two local history books followed, “A Girl Called Tommie” and “Island Voices.” These books told the island stories …often in the words of the pioneers or their descendents.
The meaning of the name Caxambas
Caxambas was the early name of Marco Island found written on Spanish sailing maps in the 1500’s meaning a place to get fresh water. Natural springs or surface pools of rain water marked the source of life to Spanish sailors as well as the pioneers who began arriving after the Civil War.
Overtime the island became known as Marco Island and the name Caxambas became attached to one of the three original settlements of the island: Marco, Goodland Point, and Caxambas. When the Caxambas settlement was cleared for development in 1949 the name Caxambas fell into disuse. The name Caxambas signifies a meaningful part of our history.
We hope you enjoy learning more about Marco Island’s unique place in sw Florida’s history.