Plant City Guide 2024 - Magazine - Page 22
PLANT CITY
hiory
Plant City is a city located in Hillsborough County, located in the heart of
Central Florida, and boasts a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s
when the 昀椀rst settlers began to populate the state. The city was of昀椀cially
incorporated in 1885, 40 years after Florida became a state on March 3,
1845.
The town of Plant City was originally named Ichepucksassa, after the
Indian village that once inhabited the area. However, due to confusion
with the spelling and pronunciation of the name, the Irish postmaster
changed it to Cork, after his hometown. In 1884, Henry B. Plant extended
the South Florida Railroad into the town, and a year later, the town was
incorporated and renamed once again, this time in honor of Henry B.
Plant himself.
Originally Plant City was a large cotton center and over time, became
an important agricultural center, particularly for citrus and strawberries.
Changing its major crop to strawberries has brought national recognition.
Today, Plant City is a vibrant and growing community with a thriving
downtown area, beautiful parks, and a variety of cultural and recreational
opportunities.
To learn more about the history of Plant City, visit the East Hillsborough
Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-pro昀椀t organization established in 1974
to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of Plant City and Eastern
Hillsborough County. They offer access to more than 5,000 books, family
and historical 昀椀les, genealogical and photographic 昀椀les, periodicals,
newspapers, and records on microforms.
