The WPA Florida Guide of 1939 on Avon Park

Florida: A Guide to the Southernmost State was compiled by the Federal Writers’ Project of the Work Projects Administration and published in 1939 as part of the American Guide Series.[wpa-1939] It provides a detailed survey of Avon Park’s topography, civic landmarks, economic infrastructure, and founding lore during the late New Deal era.

Avon Park is profiled in the state history chapter (page 60) and featured prominently in Tour 15 (pages 496 and 498–499).[wpa-1939]

The Tour 15 Route and Town Profile

Tour 15 traversed the Lake Wales Ridge along State Road 8 (US 27) and State Road 67, connecting Haines City, Lake Wales, Avon Park, Sebring, and Moore Haven.[wpa-1939]

The guide’s entry for Avon Park (mile 44.2) records:

Between Frostproof and Avon Park is an area of uncultivated land, covered with scrubby sand pines and blackjack oaks. At the LAKE BYRD LODGE (R), 42 m., a private clubhouse, is held the annual summer encampment of the Episcopal Diocese of South Florida.

AVON PARK, 44.2 m. (156 alt., 3,355 pop.), another attractive town in the ridge section, has a mile-long mall, 120 feet wide, extending the length of the business section. Along its many broad parkways grow more than 1,000 varieties of native and exotic plants. Jacaranda predominates, its clusters of dark blue and pale lavender trumpet-shaped blossoms flowering throughout the spring months. Within and surrounding the town are numerous deep lakes; along their curving shores are landscaped drives and wide sandy beaches.

In 1886, O. M. Crosby, of Danbury, Conn., president of the Florida Development Company, chose the site for settlement because of its “open pine forests studded with clear water lakes, an abundance of fish and game, freedom from malaria, mosquitoes, and Negroes.” Crosby visited England, returned with many settlers, and named the town for Stratford-on-Avon. Large citrus groves were planted and the community grew rapidly, although mail and provisions had to be hauled many miles over sand trails from Fort Meade. Later, a stage line was established to provide free transportation to landowners and prospective lot buyers, anticipating the later boom-time practice of taking customers for a ride.

To advertise his development, Crosby established a newspaper, the Florida Home Seeker, widely distributed here and abroad. Land was offered at $25 an acre. “An ideal proposition for a quiet man with a yearly income of about $500,” an early editorial stated, “But do not come expecting an easy berth or that oranges grow without work. Mischief makers are not welcome; and above all, do not come to Avon Park if you must have strong drink or questionable entertainment. Do not come to sober up, or reform!”

The freeze of 1894-95 destroyed the groves and truck gardens, and the majority of the inhabitants abandoned their lands. Avon Park remained almost deserted until 1912 when construction of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad brought a new influx of settlers. The town was incorporated in 1913; improved transportation facilities, the replanting of citrus groves, and establishment of three large fruit-packing plants have stimulated growth. The WARD NURSERIES (open) specialize in raising citrus and avocado stock, its 26-acre avocado grove being one of the largest in Florida. The REX BEACH FARM (open), owned by the novelist, occupies the bed of a drained lake and produces both gladioli flowers and bulbs for northern markets. On Lake Verona is DONALDSON PARK (bathing beach, children’s playground).

South of Avon Park the route runs through extensive citrus groves which blanket the slopes and hilltops and reach down to the shores of numerous lakes; several are enclosed with wire fences covered with golden bignonia and purple bougainvillea.[wpa-1939]

Historical Context and Legacy

In its general history section (page 60), the guide highlights the arrival of English settler groups in central Florida during the 1880s following state immigration campaigns, noting Avon Park as a primary example of cooperative colonization before the Great Freeze of 1895.[wpa-1939]

The guide’s description of early promotional claims gained national attention in the post-World War II era, with publications such as the Atlanta Daily World citing the 1939 account when reporting on the 1949 and 1951 municipal elections in Avon Park.[adw-1949-09-25]

References

• wpa-1939 — Federal Writers’ Project, Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida. Florida: A Guide to the Southernmost State (American Guide Series), Federal Writers’ Project of the Work Projects Administration, 1939 — pages 60, 193, 496, 498-499 and index. 1939. https://archive.org/details/FloridaGuideToSouthernmostState_126045_p634_CMU
• adw-1949-09-25 — Associated Negro Press, in the Atlanta Daily World. Negroes Swing Mayor’s Election In Avon Park, Atlanta Daily World, 25 September 1949, page 3. 25 September 1949. avon-park-1951-black-votes-thrown-out.md

Related

• Finding: Crosby’s promotional newspaper, the Florida Homeseeker
• Finding: The “freedom from … Negroes” line comes from the WPA guide
• Finding: Avon Park citrus packing houses, Rex Beach farm, and 1930s agriculture
• Finding: Donaldson Park WPA Project 1938
• Report: The naming of Avon Park and the English settlers
• Entity: Oliver Marvin Crosby
• Entity: Mile Long Mall

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

society

Sources

1. Federal Writers' Project, Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida, Florida: A Guide to the Southernmost State (American Guide Series), Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration, 1939 — pages 60, 193, 496, 498-499 and index (1939)
2. Associated Negro Press, in the Atlanta Daily World, Negroes Swing Mayor's Election In Avon Park, Atlanta Daily World, 25 September 1949, page 3 (1949)

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