The Historical Society of Avon ParkAVON PARK, FL · EST. 1886
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Crosby’s 1887 and 1888 Publications and the Founding Chronology of Avon Park

A comparison of Oliver Marvin Crosby’s two early promotional works—Florida Facts, Both Bright and Blue (published in New York in 1887) and Common Sense About Florida: Lake Forest and Avon Park (published in 1888)—establishes the precise sequence by which the Avon Park townsite transitioned from pioneer reconnaissance to commercial development[crosby-1887-book][crosby-1888-pamphlet].

The 1887 General Guidebook (Florida Facts Both Bright and Blue)

Published in 1887 by Crosby & Co. in New York City, Florida Facts Both Bright and Blue was written as a comprehensive, statewide guide for prospective northern homesteaders, winter tourists, and citrus investors[crosby-1887-book].

Although Crosby had explored central Florida in 1885–1886 and brought the initial pioneer party to Lake Verona in September 1886, the 1887 book makes no mention of Avon Park or Lake Forest by name[crosby-1887-book]. Several factors account for this absence:

  1. Statewide Scope: The 1887 work surveyed established agricultural regions, transportation routes, soils, climates, and citrus production throughout north and central Florida rather than advertising a specific real estate venture[crosby-1887-book].
  2. Timing of Platting and Survey: In late 1886 and early 1887, the settlement at Lake Verona was an unplatted wilderness camp without commercial survey or civic infrastructure. Formal townsite plats were filed in DeSoto and Manatee counties only in late September and December 1887, after the 1887 volume was compiled and printed[nrhp-avon-park-district].
  3. Reference to De Soto County: The 1887 text specifically identifies Manatee and De Soto counties as “the newest in the march of development,” noting that “the piney woods are studded with young orange trees”[crosby-1887-book]. Because De Soto County was established by the Florida Legislature on 9 May 1887 from eastern Manatee County, this reference confirms that the book went to press during or immediately following mid-1887[laws-fl-1887-ch3770].
  4. Focus on Fort Meade as Railhead: The 1887 book devoted significant attention to Fort Meade in southern Polk County, describing it as the primary supply depot and southern terminus of rail transport, which would soon serve as the staging hub for stages into the Lake Wales Ridge[crosby-1887-book].

The 1888 Real Estate Prospectus (Common Sense About Florida)

By 1888, Crosby’s promotional posture shifted from general state boosterism to the direct sale of acreage and platted town lots in Township 33 South, Range 28 East[crosby-1888-pamphlet]. In Common Sense About Florida: Lake Forest and Avon Park, Crosby presented a fully formed development scheme:

  • Townsite Identity: The pamphlet marketed the forty-acre center in Section 22 under the plat name Lake Forest and the broader community under Avon Park[crosby-1888-pamphlet].
  • Physical Development: Crosby documented ten houses standing, John C. Burleigh’s steam sawmill operating on Lake Brentwood with 100,000 feet of pine lumber cut, and the thirty-two-room Hotel Verona under construction on Lot 20, Block D[crosby-1888-pamphlet].
  • Fixed Pricing Model: Uniform pricing of 0 for 50-by-100-foot lots was introduced to attract working settlers, artisans, and grove laborers[crosby-1888-pamphlet].
  • Staging Infrastructure: Signboards were installed along the twenty-mile stage road from Fort Meade to direct arrivals directly to the company’s headquarters[crosby-1888-pamphlet].

The juxtaposition of the two works demonstrates that 1887 was the transitional year during which Crosby secured land contracts from Hamilton Disston’s holdings, arranged for the town platting, and prepared the commercial apparatus launched in 1888[crosby-1887-book][crosby-1888-pamphlet].

References

Where this comes from

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

Sources

  1. Oliver Marvin Crosby, Florida Facts, Both Bright and Blue: A Guide to Intending Settlers, Tourists, and Investors (references/florida-facts-both-bright-and-blue_oliver-marvin-crosby_1887.md) (1887) · book
  2. Oliver Marvin Crosby, Common Sense About Florida: Lake Forest and Avon Park (references/common-sense-about-florida_o-m-crosby_1888.md) (1888)
  3. Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation / National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, Avon Park Historic District (ref. 90000486) (1990)
  4. Florida State Legislature, Chapter 3770, Laws of Florida (1887): An Act to Create and Establish the County of De Soto (1887) · official

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