04/14/2026
🏛️ Plant City, Florida — Historical Timeline
Pre-1800s
The area was home to a Native American settlement known as Ichepucksassa, which became the original name of the community.
1839
The U.S. Army built Fort Hichipucksassa approximately 4 miles northeast of what is now downtown Plant City, though the Indian village at the site was not occupied prior to the fort’s construction.
Late 1830s
Settlers first began to populate the Plant City area.
1860
The community was renamed “Cork” after the postmaster’s Irish hometown, due to much confusion over the spelling and pronunciation of Ichepucksassa.
Late 1860s
Emancipated slaves established the community of Bealsville, about five miles southeast of downtown Plant City.
1883
Henry Plant completed the South Florida Railroad connecting Tampa to Sanford by way of Plant City. The railroad arrived at the village (then called Hichipuckassa) in December of 1883.
November 15, 1883
Developer Mitchell had the land surveyed for a town to be called Plant City.
1884
“The South Florida Courier” became the first newspaper in town — the owner brought the printing press from Mississippi.
January 10, 1885
The Town of Plant City was officially incorporated. The original area covered one square mile, with land platted from pioneer John G. Thomas’s property — 55 acres for Judge Henry L. Mitchell (who became the 16th Governor of Florida) and 65 acres for Simon Peter Thomas. At incorporation, the town had a population of approximately 350 people, thirteen stores, several hotels, a frame schoolhouse, and two churches — passing the incorporation vote 49 to 1.
Late 1880s
Plant City first became famous as a center for shipping cotton. The city’s financial base was citrus and cattle, with cotton, fruit, vegetables, and to***co also generating local income. Lumber became the first major industry with the founding of the Warnell Lumber and Veneering Company, the largest of its kind in the South — making Plant City known as a milltown for 15 years.
1907
A fire razed several blocks of wooden structures in Plant City; citizens rebuilt with brick.
1909
The Plant City Union Depot was built on East North Drane Street, symbolizing the community’s growing development.
1911
Plant City was officially reincorporated from the “Town of Plant City” to the “City of Plant City.” By this time, railroad tracks ran in five directions from Plant City, and it became the largest inland shipping point in Florida, with between 50 and 60 trains passing through town per day.
1957
Country singer Pam Tillis, daughter of Mel Tillis, was born in Plant City.
1971
Railroad passenger service ceased operations at Plant City Union Depot.
1975
Plant City Union Depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
1980–1982
A few strawberry growers began meeting in their homes to discuss organizing a group for the Florida strawberry industry. On February 11, 1982, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) was born and acknowledged by the state as a nonprofit organization.
1988–1997
Plant City served as the spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds, who played exhibition games at Plant City Stadium.
Today
Plant City is known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World and hosts the annual Florida Strawberry Festival each late winter, attended by people from around the world.
