Who Were Tampa Bay's Original Inhabitants? The Tocobaga — Skilled Maritime People Who Built Shell Mounds The Tocobaga people inhabited the Tampa Bay coast for thousands of years, building shell mound communities that archaeological evidence dates to at least 1,000 years ago. The Rays' Native Design honours that coastal heritage through artistically-inspired patterns. Shell Mound Builders Safety Harbor culture — named after a Tampa Bay area site — represents the pre-contact Tocobaga civilisation. Their shell mounds, pottery, and maritime technology inspire the Native Design's heritage aesthetic. Front — Tocobaga heritage Back — JESO PRO™ JESO PRO™. MLB collection. Make it yours.