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    Plant City
    Plant City
    Plant City
    Ebook128 pages28 minutes

    Plant City

    By Shelby Jean Roberson Bender and Roberta Donaldson Jordan

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    Named for railroad magnate Henry B. Plant, Plant City was incorporated in 1885. Rich in history and the flavor of strawberries, it is known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Images featured are from the Quintilla Geer Bruton Archives Center and the East Hillsborough Historical Society. Shelby Jean Roberson Bender, an eighth-generation Floridian, and Roberta Donaldson Jordan, a native of Pennsylvania, have devoted many years to historical and genealogical research, publications, and instruction.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcadia Publishing
    Release dateMar 7, 2011
    ISBN9781439641743
    Plant City
    Author

    Shelby Jean Roberson Bender

    Shelby Jean Roberson Bender, an eighth-generation Floridian, and Roberta Donaldson Jordan, a native of Pennsylvania, have devoted many years to historical and genealogical research, publications, and instruction.

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      Book preview

      Plant City - Shelby Jean Roberson Bender

      coauthors

      INTRODUCTION

      I remember then . . . how often do we hear this statement? Many times we think of the past when focusing on where we are now. Plant City is more than its buildings. The structures are just the shell or the outline; it is the people who tell the story.

      Plant City’s story begins with Henry B. Plant. His 1883 extension of the South Florida Railroad into the Central Florida area known as Ichepuckesassa brings us to today. The trains still come through town, any hour of the day and in all directions. The passenger trains do not stop here anymore, but residents can wave to them as their cars pass by.

      Early settlers who came to the area in the 1830s lived just north of the current downtown. These pioneers literally left their mark on this community. Our streets and buildings bear their names and serve as a reminder of how past history has made a difference in the Plant City community of today. In 1884, the Plant City Courier, our local newspaper, was established. One hundred twenty-six years later, we are still reading the Courier, a weekly newspaper covering our community’s current events. Plant City incorporated as a town on January 10, 1885. Land sold at desirable prices, attracting newcomers to town. Cattle, vegetables, and citrus were joined by the cotton and lumber businesses as rail freight was made available.

      Strawberries were brought here in the early 1880s from Shannon, Mississippi, and in Plant City the strawberry is still king.

      Both the beginning and end of the 20th century brought change to our town. Military service, a commitment to excellence in education, and dedication to our family through social and religious foundation has always played an important role in the life of Plant City. Neighborhoods were built and businesses were formed.

      Plant City has both a history and a future. From a single square-mile town with a population of 300 to a community of almost 30,000 people, change has been inevitable. Electricity, telephone, and automobiles were big news in the early 20th century. As we embrace and move forward in the 21st century, technology has become the key. Plant City is still a town of brick streets with granite curbs. We have changed the way we live, work, and play, and reflecting upon those visions is how we present Then & Now: Plant City. For a closer look, please also enjoy reading Arcadia’s other Plant City publications—Images of America: Plant City, Plant City in Vintage Postcards, and Postcards of America: Plant City’s Berry Season.

      CHAPTER 1

      CITY HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT

      This is an early 1950s photograph of the city hall building located at the northwest corner of Collins and Palmer Streets. The property was sold to the First Baptist Church in 1959 when the city erected a new building at the northwest corner of Wheeler and Mahoney

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