New Book 'Cow Creek Chronicles' Explores Seminole, Ranching History in Florida

The book delves into the intertwined stories of the Seminoles, Adams Ranch, and a tragic family saga.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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"Cow Creek Chronicles" by Gregory Enns is a new book that explores the history of Cow Creek and Polly's Hammock in Florida, including the stories of the Seminoles, the Adams Ranch, and a tragic family saga involving the $11 million Cow Creek Ranch estate. The book recounts how a playboy squandered his wife's inheritance, leaving her and their two daughters virtually penniless.

Why it matters

The book provides a comprehensive look at the history and interconnected stories of the Seminoles, the Adams Ranch, and a prominent Florida family, offering insights into the region's past and the lasting impact of land ownership and development.

The details

The book "Cow Creek Chronicles" by Gregory Enns covers the history of Cow Creek and Polly's Hammock in Florida, including the stories of the Seminoles, the Adams Ranch, and a tragic family saga. It recounts how a playboy husband squandered his wife Jo Ann Raulerson's $11 million Cow Creek Ranch estate, leaving her and their two daughters virtually penniless. The book also documents the beauty and destruction of the Blue Mountain cypress dome on the former Cow Creek Ranch, where the author played as a child. While a developer demolished the trees to ship lumber north, the neighboring Adams Ranch preserved the eastern expansive of the dome.

  • The book "Cow Creek Chronicles" was published on February 28, 2026.
  • Polly, whose Creek name is Emateloye Estenletvke, died in 1922, about 15 years before Alto Adams Sr. bought land for a cattle ranch in 1937.
  • Alto "Bud" Adams Jr. couldn't have known Polly, as he later recollected at age 86.

The players

Gregory Enns

The author of "Cow Creek Chronicles", a journalist, sixth-generation Floridian, Fort Pierce native, and owner of Indian River Magazine.

Polly

A Seminole woman whose Creek name is Emateloye Estenletvke, who died in 1922.

Alto Adams Sr.

Bought land for the Adams Ranch in 1937.

Alto "Bud" Adams Jr.

The son of Alto Adams Sr., who recollected at age 86 that he couldn't have known Polly.

Jo Ann Raulerson

The sole heir to Frank Raulerson's $11 million Cow Creek Ranch estate, which her playboy husband Tommy Sloan squandered, leaving her and their two daughters virtually penniless.

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What they’re saying

“Cow Creek and Polly's Hammock are featured in "Cow Creek Chronicles' by Gregory Enns, a journalist, sixth-generation Floridian, Fort Pierce native and owner of Indian River Magazine. He said his new book is the first to:”

— Gregory Enns, Author (tcpalm.com)

The takeaway

"Cow Creek Chronicles" provides a comprehensive look at the intertwined histories of the Seminoles, the Adams Ranch, and a prominent Florida family, offering insights into the region's past and the lasting impact of land ownership and development. The book's exploration of these interconnected stories highlights the complex and layered history of this area of Florida.