The Historical Society of Avon ParkAVON PARK, FL · EST. 1886
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Chapter 15237, Laws of Florida 1931: Acquisition of Highlands Hammock

The Statutory Enactment

Chapter 15237 (No. 599), Laws of Florida 1931, enacted during the regular legislative session, provided the legal mechanism for Highlands County to accept the philanthropic gift of Highlands Hammock from the Roebling estate and the Highlands Hammock Association.[lof-1931-15237]

Title and Preamble

“AN ACT Authorizing the Board of County Commissioners of Highlands County, Florida, to Accept Certain Lands for Park Purposes, and to Maintain and Improve Same, and Authorizing the Levy of a Tax for Such Purpose.”[lof-1931-15237]

Key Statutory Provisions

  • Section 1 (Acceptance of Park Land): Authorized the Board of County Commissioners of Highlands County “to take over in their official capacity as a gift and without cost to the County of Highlands certain lands located in said County, formally known as Hooker Hammock but now known and designated as Highlands Hammock, consisting of approximately sixteen hundred (1600) acres, which has heretofore been dedicated to park purposes.”[lof-1931-15237]
  • Section 2 (Tax Levy): Authorized the commissioners, upon receipt of a fee simple warranty deed, to levy an annual ad valorem tax of up to two (2) mills on all taxable property within Highlands County to support the maintenance, development, and improvement of the park.[lof-1931-15237]
  • Section 3 (Referendum Requirement): Conditioned the enactment and property tax levy upon approval by a majority of qualified electors voting in a special or general county election.[lof-1931-15237]

The statute became law without the approval of the Governor and took effect upon passage, providing the baseline institutional framework that preceded the property’s transfer to the newly created Florida State Park System in 1935.[lof-1931-15237]

References

Where this comes from

Evidence
corroborated — More than one independent source agrees.
Review
unverified — Drafted from sources but not yet checked by a volunteer.
Rights
public-domain

Sources

  1. Legislature of the State of Florida, Chapter 15237 (No. 599), Laws of Florida 1931, Volume 2 Part 1, Special Acts: An Act Authorizing the Board of County Commissioners of Highlands County, Florida, to Accept Certain Lands for Park Purposes, and to Maintain and Improve Same, and Authorizing the Levy of a Tax for Such Purpose (1931)

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