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American Experience
Hamilton Disston: Pioneering Everglades Developer
In 1881, Hamilton Disston, a wealthy enterpreneur cut a deal to purchase four million acres of Everglades, hoping to drain the land for selling and promised to drain an additional 12 million acres. But the wet season reclaimed the lands and six years later, the state commission declared his efforts a failure.
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Part of the award-winning The Presidents collection.