Temple Terrace

Images of America: Florida

by Lana Burroughs, Tim Lancaster, Grant Rimbey

The influential and adventurous Chicago socialite Mrs. Potter Palmer (Bertha) struck out for Florida in 1910, eventually buying thousands of acres of land across the state. In 1914, after setting up residence in Sarasota, she established Riverhills, a hunting preserve on 19,000 acres in the area now known as Temple Terrace. Local historians believe it was Palmer's vision to create one of America's first planned golf course communities, where every Mediterranean Revival villa sold would include its own grove. Intended to provide a hobby and part-time income for the wealthy Northerners lured to the Sunshine State, 5,000 acres were planted with the exotic hybrid Temple orange--making up the largest citrus grove in the world at the time. The new city was named after the orange and for the sloping terrain of the land along the Hillsborough River.

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2010

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! So much history in this little town. It was really neat to read about where I live and went to school.

[Betsy Gant · Rating 4 out of 5]

56th street was constructed by convicts. Whiteway was actually white. Hillsborough River is named after the Earl of Hillsborough. So many other interesting facts about the little community I live in. Definitely recommend to my other TT residents.

[Robert Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short book on the beginnings of Temple Terrace, FL by the Temple Terrace Preservation Society.