WINTER HAVEN’S EARLY HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT
In the late 1990s Winter Haven completed a series of surveys that established historic districts within the city. Bill Adams of Historic Properties, Inc. conducted the inventory. Writing in the survey report he outlined the historic development of the African American community. The following information is taken from Mr. Adams’ report:
“African American settlers arrived in Winter Haven in the late 19th Century. About 1881, a settlement emerged in our future downtown. Within several decades residents had moved into new areas, building homes and businesses in ‘Florence Villa’ to the north and ‘Pughsville’ to the south. Flourishing citrus groves and a robust economy created jobs and opportunities in businesses, citrus groves, and packing houses, and with the railroad. By the mid-1920s several hundred residents lived in the communities.”
“Florence Villa, the largest of Winter Haven’s minority settlements, emerged in the 1880s with the assistance of Frederick W. Inman, M.D. Inman persuaded Dan Laramore, a native of Albany, Georgia, to move to Winter Haven to supervise the planting and cultivation of his groves. Adams also noted other early influential settlers included George Green from Americas, and Georgia and Marion Thomas of Lawtey, Florida. By 1928, nearly 100 buildings occupied the area north of Lake Silver between Avenues O and W, NW, First Street and the railroad tracks. Numerous dwellings, a lodge, movie theater, two schools and several churches contributed to the neighborhood.”
It is interesting to note that in his book “The History of Florence Villa” U. J. Johnson wrote, “Dr. Inman, being both wealthy and astute, went for the best. He found a talented horticulturist, who happened to be African American with Seminole Indian ancestry named Dan Laramore … In an attempt to escape segregation, Laramore fled to the State of California where he mastered the Japanese technique of citrus culture. Since no one in Florida knew the citrus science, Laramore was the state’s pioneer horticulturist. He was hired by Dr. Inman to manage the cooperative’s groves.”
Adam’s property survey continues, “Pughsville, named after Reverend C. S. Pugh, emerged about 1905 along the railroad tracks south of downtown. Henry Jackson, an early settler, first worked for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and later for the Seymour-Craig Company. Pughsville centered along Third Street SW, Avenues R and S, SW. Though the Pughsville neighborhood is nearly gone, an active Historic Pughsville group is shepherded by Patricia Smith-Fields and others.”
LEMUEL GEATHERS: A COMMUNITY BRIDGE BUILDER
Few people witnessed the sea change in race relations and community progress that Lemuel Geathers Sr., lived. Few people described it as eloquently.
Geathers was a life-long Winter Haven resident. The Winter Haven of 1924 was actually two distinct villages: Winter Haven and Florence Villa. (Florence Villa was separately incorporated from 1917 to 1923 when it merged with Winter Haven.) Geathers was born in his family’s home in the Pughsville neighborhood located in southwest Winter Haven.
His mother, widowed when Lemuel was a young boy, had but a third grade education but she successfully saw her four children graduate with college degrees. Mr. Geathers would proudly note that he and wife Juanita saw their six children do the same.
He spoke with pride of his US Navy service to our country in WWII and, while away in the war effort, he occasionally would see news reel footage that included scenes from Cypress Gardens, proudly noting to his service buddies, “That’s my home.”
Geathers also shares, “When I was a young boy I was not allowed to go to the public library and later I served on the Library Board!” During his life’s journey he wore many hats from electrical contractor to grove owner — landlord to hospital board member — and more. In 1973 he was elected the first African American Winter Haven City Commissioner serving as mayor in 1975.
While serving as mayor he notes the commissioner seated next to him said to him, “You have no business being here.” But Geathers casually adds that he never let such comments stand in his way. “I learned long ago to build relationships with other leaders within the community. It was those individuals who became a part of successful commission votes and community projects that might never have been accomplished through confrontation.” To his credit, Geathers worked with community leaders, including the late Richard Dantzler, to develop successful integration plans for public schools. He also was instrumental in efforts to establish the original Polk State College campus on what was then the city golf course.
For his bridge-building work within the community, Geathers was awarded the 2010 Banker’s Cup Man of the Year Award. During his acceptance speech he joked, “I’m surprised I was nominated … there aren’t too many people I haven’t offended over the years!” He proceeded to speak about his life with great eloquence prompting one attendee to note, “I could have listened to Mr. Geathers all night.”
Lemuel Geathers was a walking Winter Haven history book. He participated in programs at the Museum of Winter Haven History and on behalf of the Winter Haven Woman’s Club. He was often quick to say, “I love everybody. I’ve seen a lot in my day … some good and some bad … but I just love this community. I LOVE Winter Haven.” Mr. Geathers died March 2, 2021, at the age of 96.
MUSEUM EXHIBIT FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The Museum of Winter Haven History will feature a number of notable African American residents during Black History Month. Visitors will learn biographical information on such community builders as Althea Mills, Dan Laramore, Nathaniel Birdsong, Charles Richardson, the Turgeson brothers, Lemual Geathers, Ann Darby and more. The exhibit will open Saturday, February 1 at 9 am. The museum is located in the historic Woman’s Club building at 660 Pope Avenue, NW. Tours for four or more people available by appointment 863-206-6855.
