The NRHP Nomination's 1930 Population Discrepancy

Summary of the Discrepancy

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Registration Form for the Avon Park Historic District (Reference 90000486) contains an error regarding the 1930 population of Avon Park. The narrative states: “In 1930, the population stood at 3,528 residents and by 1940, the number had dropped only to 3,125.”

However, according to the official tabulated 1930 United States Federal Census (Volume 1: Population, Number and Distribution of Inhabitants), the enumerated count for Avon Park city in Highlands County was exactly 3,355 residents. The 3,528 figure is unsupported by the federal census.

1900 Population and the Freeze

The NRHP nomination also contains two seemingly disconnected population figures for the turn of the century. On page 7, the narrative claims that after the devastating 1894–1895 freeze, “The population dropped from 500 to 128,” while on the next page it states, “The population of the community had stood at 225 in the year 1900.”

These figures are not contradictory when placed in chronological context. The drop to 128 residents describes the immediate abandonment of the town following the freeze of 1894–1895. By the time of the 1900 United States Federal Census five years later, the official enumeration for the Avon Park precinct in DeSoto County (from which Highlands County was later formed) recorded 225 residents.

Conclusion

The 1930 population of Avon Park was 3,355, not 3,528. The 1900 federal census population was 225, which reflects the town’s slow recovery following the immediate post-freeze contraction to an estimated 128 residents. Future historical materials should use the official census figures: 225 (1900), 890 (1920), 3,355 (1930), and 3,125 (1940).

References

nrhp-avon-park-historic-district — United States Department of the Interior / National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Avon Park Historic District (Reference Number 90000486). 22 March 1990. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/d3eaa10c-7fe9-4298-af1c-11123bb9c20b
us-census-1930 — United States Census Bureau / Government Printing Office. 1930 United States Federal Census (Volume 1). 1931. 1930 United States Federal Census (Volume 1. Population, Number and Distribution of Inhabitants)
us-census-1900 — United States Census Bureau. 1900 United States Federal Census (DeSoto County, Florida). 1900. 1900 United States Federal Census (DeSoto County, Florida)

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

United States Department of the Interior / National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Avon Park Historic District (Reference Number 90000486) (1990)
United States Census Bureau / Government Printing Office, 1930 United States Federal Census (Volume 1) (1930 United States Federal Census (Volume 1. Population, Number and Distribution of Inhabitants)) (1931)
United States Census Bureau, 1900 United States Federal Census (DeSoto County, Florida) (1900 United States Federal Census (DeSoto County, Florida)) (1900)

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