Center Hill, Florida Explained

Official Name:Center Hill, Florida
City of Center Hill
Settlement Type:City
Mapsize:250x200px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Jim Walts
Leader Title1:Councilors
Leader Name1:Randy Newman,
Tonota Parker, Keith Vann,
Jack Nash, and
Ginger Howard
Leader Title2:City Clerk
Leader Name2:Diane Lamb
Leader Title3:City Attorney
Leader Name3:Ashley Hunt
Established Title:Settled (Abraham's Old Town)
Established Date:1800
Established Title1:Settled (Peliklakaha)
Established Date1:1813
Established Title2:Founded
(Center Hill)
Established Title3:Incorporated (City of Center Hill)
Established Date3:1925[1]
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[2]
Area Total Km2:16.70
Area Land Km2:15.80
Area Water Km2:0.90
Area Total Sq Mi:6.45
Area Land Sq Mi:6.10
Area Water Sq Mi:0.35
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:846
Population Density Km2:53.55
Population Density Sq Mi:138.71
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Coordinates:28.6489°N -81.9953°W
Elevation M:30
Elevation Ft:98
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:33514
Area Code:352
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:12-11325[3]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0280236[4]
Website:https://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/544/City-of-Center-Hill

Center Hill is a city in Sumter County, Florida, United States. The population was 846 at the 2020 census.

History

Early inhabitants

By 1800, Black Seminoles and "maroons", or fugitive slaves, had settled in the present-day City of Center Hill, which was initially called "Abraham's Old Town", near the Wahoo Swamp. Maroons who fought for England joined the Black Seminoles after the runaway slaves fled to Florida, a free territory under Spanish rule, to avoid remaining in slavery following the American Revolution. Both Black Seminoles and maroons lived with the Seminoles in a feudal-like relationship; the Black Seminoles paid the Seminoles with a percentage of their crops in exchange for their freedom.[5] The Black Seminoles settled in the Center Hill area in 1813 and named it "Peliklakaha".[6] Accompanying them was Seminole chief Micanopy, who made Peliklakaha his residence[7] after the death of Payne.

The town had about 100 residents. They came as runaway slaves from Georgia.[8] Others were of African descent, specifically from the Kongo region,[9] and some Seminoles, including one of Micanopy's wives, lived in Peliklakaha. The town's layout was influenced by slave quarters, Seminole villages, and African villages. The residents lived in buildings constructed from daub, thatch, and lumber. Peliklakaha participated in regional trade with the Seminoles,[10] black hunters travelling to South Florida, and white travelers as the village was located at the center of several well-travelled Native American trails.[11]

The United States and Florida governments noticed the area's fertility. In 1823, while informing the Seminoles about the meeting at Moultrie Creek, Horatio S. Dexter, an envoy sent by Florida territorial governor William P. Duval, discovered that the Black Seminoles grew rice, peanuts, and corn.[12] In 1826, United States Army General George McCall visited Peliklakaha[13] and noticed that their farms were located on what General McCall called "the finest land".

Second Seminole War

See also: Dade Massacre and Second Seminole War.

Whites called the town "Abraham's Old Town", after Abraham,[14] a former slave who had been given his freedom by the British[15] and who served as a recruiter and an interpreter for the Seminoles.[6] After hearing that Francis L. Dade and his men were to cross through the territory, Abraham anticipated an attack on Peliklakaha and convinced Micanopy to move Seminole soldiers to the Fort King Road.[16] Abraham left the village after Dade's Massacre on December 28, 1835.[6] A short time later in 1836, General Winfield Scott moved General Abraham Eustis' troops to the Peliklakaha area to destroy the Seminoles. General Eustis and his troops burned Peliklakaha;[6] no Seminoles were killed as Peliklakaha's population fled to the Wahoo Swamp before Eustis’ forces arrived. General Eustis would later commission a painting depicting the burning of Peliklakaha,[14] which later was hung in the Library of Congress.[8]

On April 19, 1842, Colonel William J. Worth attacked Halleck Tustenuggee at Peliklakaha. During the battle, Halleck Tustenuggee and his warriors constructed a log barricade. United States Army soldiers attacked the front of the barricade while dragoons attacked from the back. Halleck Tustenuggee and his warriors retreated, and the United States Army burned the camp. The battle left one soldier dead and four wounded on the United States side and one soldier killed and one captured on the Seminole side. A few days later, Halleck Tustenuggee, two of his wives, and two of his children voluntarily surrendered to Worth at Warm Springs. On August 14, 1842, Worth declared the Second Seminole War over.

Settlement by whites

In the late 1830s and early 1840s, the Mobley and Beville families settled in the area.[17] Either the town's postmaster Thomas W. Spicer[18] or Carrie Lovell named the town "Center Hill".[17] Spicer thought that the town was the hub of activity.[18] Lovell named the town after its location of being on a hill in the center of the county.[17] In 1925, the City of Center Hill was officially incorporated as a municipality.[1]

Agricultural heyday

According to Broward Mill, the past president of the Sumter County Historical Society, Center Hill was known for its string bean production in the early part of the 20th century.[19] In 1931, Center Hill shipped green beans, green peas, and lima beans to Baltimore, Boston, New York City, Chicago, and Detroit.[20] Beginning in the mid-1930s, Center Hill's soil fertility declined. Local bean farmers blamed a decrease in the water table. They believed that the creation of the Jumper Creek Drainage District, which the local circuit court formed in 1922 to reclaim about 24,600 acres by draining water from Jumper Creek into Jumper Lake and the Withlacoochee River, deprived them of water and forced them to irrigate large fields. By 1975, bean production was virtually nonexistent, and the population decreased from a peak of 1,500 people to 37 in 1970.[21] In 1988, area farmers still sent their bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, and watermelons to Center Hill for packing and shipping.[19]

1990s

In the 1990s, Center Hill gained a reputation of being a speed trap. The town received a Clinton administration community policing grant of $167,000 (USD) in order to hire ten full and part-time police officers. From the receipt of the grant to 1997, residents complained about the officers issuing traffic tickets, especially for speeding. In November 1997, four police officers, including Police Chief Kendall Alsobrook, left the police force, and the department's staff was reduced to one full-time officer.[22]

Peliklakaha's rediscovery

In 1998, archaeologists from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida began the first excavation of a Black Seminole village[23] in a pasture about two miles from Center Hill. The researchers hoped to determine the town's social structure[14] and the former residents' lifestyle.[23] The investigators found dozens of artifacts, including iron pieces, stoneware, glass beads, nails, and pottery.[14] Historians believe that over 100 Black Seminoles lived in Peliklakaha,[15] the largest known Black Seminole village.[14] Historians also believe that Peliklakaha was rebuilt after Abraham was among the first Seminoles and Black Seminoles to be transferred to a reservation in the west.[15]

2000s

On July 31, 2001, a 500-pound (227-kilogram) Siberian tiger named "Tie" fatally attacked Vincent Lowe, a worker at the Savage Kingdom exotic animal park who was attempting to earn state certification to work with the cats,[24] while Lowe was repairing the cage. The tiger burst through his cage and pounced on Lowe before Lowe could fire his pistol at the tiger. Park owner Robert Baudy shot the cat. The incident was the second one in park history.[25] [26] The first was in March 1997, when another Siberian tiger escaped from its cage and mauled a worker before being killed by members of the Sumter County Sheriff's Department.[25] [27] In February 1999, state game officials discovered substandard cage wiring; the ranch corrected the issue by May 1999, the last inspection before the incident.[24] On July 6, 2006, the United States Department of Agriculture ordered that Savage Kingdom's license be revoked permanently.[28]

Geography

Center Hill is located at 28.6489°N -81.9954°W.[29]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8sqmi, of which 1.7sqmi is land and 0.1sqmi (3.39%) is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Center Hill has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census

Center Hill racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
!Race!Pop 2010[30] !Pop 2020[31] !% 2010!% 2020
White (NH)51140551.72%47.87%
Black or African American (NH)88828.91%9.69%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)410.40%0.12%
Asian (NH)320.30%0.24%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)010.00%0.12%
Some other race (NH)2140.20%1.65%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)15381.52%4.49%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)36530336.94%35.82%
Total988846

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 846 people, 322 households, and 212 families residing in the city.[32]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 988 people, 368 households, and 289 families residing in the city.[33]

2000 census

As of the census[34] of 2000, there were 910 people, 282 households, and 212 families residing in the city. The population density was 531.8sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 319 housing units at an average density of 186.4sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 79.9% White, 6.7% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.8% Pacific Islander, 9.5% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.9% of the population.

In 2000, there were 282 households, out of which 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.63.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 36.2% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.0 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $29,830, and the median income for a family was $30,156. Males had a median income of $27,279 versus $20,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,546. About 19.2% of families and 26.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.4% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.

Agriculture

The city was once called the "Green Bean Capitol of the World," and is known locally to this day for the high quality of its soil.[35]

Industry

One of the leading industries in Center Hill is Central Beef Industries.

Central Beef Industries

In 2013, the Seminole Tribe partnered with Central Beef to slaughter and cut beef for the tribe's "Seminole Pride" brand.[36]

Beginning in 1999, Central Beef disposed of 130,000 US gallons (492,103 liters) of wastewater containing high levels of sodium and fecal material per day into neighboring fields. Central Beef owner Marc Chernin offered to buy a neighboring rancher's land, but the rancher refused as he and his brother believed that the offer was too low. The ranchers attempted to informally resolve the issue by discussing it with Central Beef management, but they sued the beef processing plant in May 2006. Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued warning letters in 2001. A 2003 consent order attempted to address the issue of contamination, but the company, citing insufficient funds to line the ponds around Central Beef, failed to stop the pollution. In 2005, plant manager Dick Greene documented his concerns about the pollution.[37] The DEP began an investigation in April 2006. On August 24, 2006, the DEP arrested Chernin on charges of hazardous waste disposal and felony commercial littering.[38] Chernin pleaded no contest to the charges in July 2007, and he was sentenced to one year's probation. The charge of hazardous waste disposal was eventually dropped. After the ranchers' and the DEP's lawsuits, Central Beef began transporting the wastewater off the premises.[37]

References

Book: Covington, James W. . The Seminoles of Florida . University Press of Florida . 1993 . . 33. 0-8130-1196-5.

Book: Hatch, Thomas . Osceola and the Great Seminole War . St. Martin Press . 2012 . New York. 59, 254 . 978-0-312-35591-3.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR WITH INCORPORATION & DISSOLUTION INFO. www.flcities.com.
  2. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. October 31, 2021.
  3. Web site: U.S. Census website . . 2008-01-31 .
  4. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. 2008-01-31. United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25.
  5. Web site: A Haven for Slaves . Florida Stories . Florida Humanities Council . 2012 . Mar 8, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140512213300/http://www.flahum.org/Localization/FHC_EN/Assets/Images/2012_HomeEdits/FLORIDASTORY-AHavenforSlaves.pdf . 2014-05-12 .
  6. Web site: Robison . James . Abraham Guided Many Black Seminoles . . Dec 22, 2002 . Mar 7, 2014.
  7. Boyd . Mark F. . Harris . Joseph . July 1951 . The Seminole War: Its Background and Onset . The Florida Historical Quarterly . . The Florida Historical Society . July 1951 . 30 . 1 . 12 . 30138833 .
  8. News: Mattson . Marcia . Student's Work Reveals a Picture of the Area's Black Seminoles . Florida Times-Union . . Nov 4, 2001 . Apr 25, 2014.
  9. Web site: Landers . Jane . Slavery in Colonial North America . Race, Development and Social Inequality Lectures . . Sep 26, 2006 . May 6, 2014.
  10. Weik . Terrance . Jun 2008 . Mexico's Cimarron Heritage and Archaeological Record . The African Diaspora Archaeology Network Newsletter . Jun 2008 . . 2 . Apr 25, 2014.
  11. Book: Carrier, Toni . Trade and Plunder Networks in the Second Seminole War in Florida, 1835-1842 . . Master's Thesis . Apr 14, 2005 . . 31 . May 6, 2014 .
  12. Book: Richards Weisman, Brent . Like Beads on a String: A Culture History of the Seminole Indians in Northern Peninsular Florida . University of Alabama Press . 1989 . . 68 . 0-8173-0411-8 . subscription .
  13. Web site: Robison . James . Abraham Guided Many Black Seminoles . . Dec 22, 2002 . Mar 7, 2014.
  14. News: Erickson . Stephanie . Student Delves Into Buried Past . . Aug 25, 2001 . Mar 7, 2014.
  15. News: Robison . Jim . Common Foe United Blacks, Seminoles . . Sep 16, 2001 . Mar 7, 2014.
  16. Web site: Rivers . Larry Eugene . Chapter 10: Interaction Between Blacks and Indians . Slavery in Florida: Territorial Days to Emancipation . University Press of Florida . 2000 . Feb 25, 2014 . dead . https://archive.today/20140509190704/http://africanaheritage.com/RiverSlaveryinFLexcerpt.asp . 2014-05-09 .
  17. Web site: Daily Commercial Staff . Center Hill has shifted from agriculture to industry . Newcomers Guide . Daily Commercial . Jun 25, 2006 . PDF . Apr 10, 2014.
  18. Web site: Florida League of Cities . City of Center Hill . Membership Directory . Florida League of Cities . 2014 . Apr 10, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231720/http://www.floridaleagueofcities.com/Directory.aspx?iID=167 . 2014-05-12 .
  19. Book: United States Department of Agriculture . United States Department of Agriculture . Soil Survey of Sumter County, Florida . . 1988 . . 2, 3 . Apr 20, 2014.
  20. Book: Florida Department of Agriculture . Florida Department of Agriculture . From Field to Market With Florida Vegetables and Citrus Fruits . . May 1, 1931 . . 8, 38, 100 . Apr 10, 2014.
  21. Book: Rose, G. Norman . Snap Bean Production in Florida: A Historic Data Series . . Economics Report 74 . Dec 1975 . . 22–24, 62 . Apr 10, 2014.
  22. News: Associated Press . Notorious Center Hill speed trap no longer exists . Ocala Star-Banner . . 3B . Dec 26, 1997 . May 8, 2014.
  23. Web site: Keen . Cathy . Florida researchers launch first excavation of Black Seminole town . News . . Jun 14, 2001 . Mar 7, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140512213512/http://news.ufl.edu/2001/06/14/black-seminole/ . 2014-05-12 .
  24. News: Malernee . Jamie . Brassfield . Mike . Tiger kills ranch worker . . . 1 Aug 2001 . 16 April 2015 .
  25. News: Tiger fatally mauls worker at animal park . The Index-Journal . . The Index-Journal . 6 . 1 Aug 2001 . 17 Mar 2015 . Newspapers.com.
  26. News: Houston . Simon . I Spent Pounds 100,000 to Turn Myself into a Tiger; Daft Dennis Is Big Game Fur a Laugh . . . 2 Aug 2001 . 2 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100509/https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-76923578/i-spent-pounds-100-000-to-turn-myself-into-a-tiger . dead .
  27. Book: Green, Alan . Animal Underworld: Inside America's Black Market for Rare and Exotic Species . . PublicAffairs . 1999 . 1-891620-28-2 . 17 Mar 2015 . registration .
  28. Savage Kingdom, Inc., Rare Feline Breeding Center, Inc., Robert E. Baudy . 65·. Agric. Dec . 879 . 879-880 . OALJ . 6 July 2006 . http://www.dm.usda.gov/oaljdecisions/vol65/Vol65_at_879.pdf . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215428/http://www.dm.usda.gov/oaljdecisions/vol65/Vol65_at_879.pdf . dead . 16 April 2015.
  29. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. 2011-04-23. 2011-02-12.
  30. Web site: P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Center Hill city, Florida. United States Census Bureau.
  31. Web site: P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Center Hill city, Florida. United States Census Bureau.
  32. Web site: S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Center Hill city, Florida. United States Census Bureau.
  33. Web site: S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Center Hill city, Florida. United States Census Bureau.
  34. Web site: U.S. Census website . . 2008-01-31 .
  35. Florida League of Cities, Inc. "City Trivia A - E" . Accessed 2007-09-16.
  36. Web site: Sanchez, Jr. . Tony . Where's the beef? It's In Seminole Pride . The Seminole Tribune . . Aug 27, 2013 . Apr 7, 2014.
  37. Barnett . Cynthia . Feb 1, 2008 . Central Beef Had 'Willful Disregard' . Florida Trend . . Trend Magazines, Inc. . Apr 6, 2014.
  38. News: Mims . Amanda . Owner of Central Beef arrested . Sumter County Times . . 1–2 . Sep 7, 2006 . Mar 20, 2014.