A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, ESTABLISHED 1974 POLK PROUD HISTORY EBRUARY 2017 NO. 1

THE CARPENTERS' HOME WHERE HISTORY WAS BUILT Polk County Board of County Commissioners UNDER THE George Lindsey, III Melony M. Bell, Chairman Bill Braswell DOME R. Todd Dantzler, Vice Chair John Hall nr^he collaboration between the Polk County Flistory Center and Polk Polk County History X County Historical Association is a valued partnership with the Polk Proud History publication as evidence of its success. By working together, Center the public is given more opportunities to experience and understand the 100 E. Main Street heritage of this county. As we enter this New Year, we set a goal to revive Bartow, FL 33830 this publication as a true quarterly with four issues in 2017, embracing the 863.534.4386 high standards of scholarship established in the first edition in 1974. www.polk-county.net/boccsite/Our- Community/History-Center/ Future publications will feature other cultural partners that assist in impacting the historical relevance of our community. One of these organi• STAFF zations, the Polk County Historical Commission, a volunteer board of nine Myrtice Young citizens, helps us to collect and preserve historical material related to the Historic Preservation Manager county. This commission also works to develop and establish reliable and Maria Trippe sustainable sources of public, private and enterprise funding to ensure the Jayme Jamison continued operation of the History Center. Additionally, the Historical Commission serves as an advisory commission to the Board of County LuAnn Mims Commissioners and the staff of the museum and library. Look for our next Lois Sherrouse-Murphy issue to feature a commemorative look at eighty years of service from this Dorinda Morrison-Garrard board. Polk County Historical Thank you for also partnering with us! Through your support, we are Association encouraged and excited to continue providing historic and heritage experi• ences. See you under the dome. DIRECTORS Myrtice Young, Preservation Manager, Polk County History Center David Brewer, President Richard A. Fifer, Vice President Roderick Hudnell, Treasurer 017 promises to be another exciting year for all of us who enjoy consid• ering the significance of current events and their relationship to history. Lois Sherrouse-Murphy, 2 Although the Polk County Historical Association's focus is, of course. Polk Secretary County, it is often difficult, if not impossible, to separate our county history Melvin Sellers, Past President from that of surrounding counties, as well as our state, nation and world. S.L. Frisbie, IV Our mission is to support the discovery, collection, analysis and retention C. Wayne Guest of the history of Imperial Polk County. Before we had a Museum, much John Keating less a History Center, those volunteers that have gone before us accom• Lyonal B. Lindsey, Jr. plished this mission by personally performing the tasks while working Sue Sellers with the local historical groups throughout the County. Donald Wilson Today we have our marvelous Polk County History Center which houses Myrtice Young both the long-time and well respected Genealogical Library as well as the growing Museum. Your Association supports the History Center by spon• DIRECTORS EMERITUS soring various projects that are suggested by the Museum's director and Edward Etheredge, MD staff. Your membership makes all of this possible and for that alone, you William Lloyd Harris deserve a very large "Thank You" from your Officers and Directors. Freddie Wright David Brewer, President, 2016-2017, Polk County Historical Association -2- THE CARPENTERS' HOME WHERE HISTORY WAS BUILT BY RICHARD A. FIFER

n October 1928, Polk County had a population of a pension and a retirement home in April 1923, funded Iapproximately 70,000. Its largest town. Lakeland, had by a 10-cent increase in monthly union dues. A retiring only 18,000 residents. Yet, on the first day of that month, carpenter could choose either a pension or admittance to there was an assembly of national leaders in north the Carpenters' Home, provided he was at least 65 years Lakeland. They had come to attend the dedication old, a union member for at least 30 years, and in finan• ceremony of the new Home for Aged Members of the cial need. United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of Ameri• The union soon decided to build the home in Florida, ca (UBCJA), the second largest trade union in the United because of the warm climate and the relatively cheap States. real estate. The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce was This retirement home for UBCJA members, better quick to react. Under the leadership of Thomas J. Apple- known as simply "the Carpenters' Home," was the out• yard Jr., manager of the Chamber, a campaign was come of thirty years of union debate on how to best started to entice the union to come to Lakeland. Apple- provide for older and disabled members. At the begin• yard, who had conceived the Lakeland Promenade ning of the Twentieth Century, most aged or disabled around Lake Mirror, enlisted the help of Jasper J. Halde- workers had no option to receive proper care, other than man, a prominent Lakeland realtor. Haldeman began from family members. Since very few employers pro• looking at potential sites in the Lakeland area for the vided pension plans, trade and labor unions began to union home. offer pension plans for their members. The first trade President Hutcheson, the union secretary, and the union union to do so was the International Typographical treasurer toured Florida in July 1923, briefly stopping in Union in 1908. Lakeland. During the stopover, Haldeman showed the A small number of the larger unions, including the UBC• men a possible site for the Home on the west side of JA, considered retirement homes in addition to pension Lake Gibson. Hutcheson was impressed with the beau• plans. The establishment of a retirement home, as well ty of the location, the proximity to Lakeland and the as a pension, was proposed at UBCJA annual conven• railroad, and the possible income from the acres of citrus tions beginning in 1898. However, all such proposals groves. were rejected by the members because of the necessary Seeing that Hutcheson liked the site, Haldeman quickly dues increase. Then, in 1915, William L. Hutcheson put together a 1,684 tract for sale, consisting of 24 parcels became president of the UBCJA. with conditional contracts. It didn't hurt that Haldeman WiUiam "Big Bill" Hutcheson personally owned 584.5 acres of the tract, including the succeeded to the office of eventual site of the residence building. The tract also UBCJA General President in October 1915, upon the death of the previous president. Hutcheson was imposing, both in size and demeanor. From the time he became union president, he was a strong proponent of care for aged union members. With pressure from Hutcheson, op• position slowly faded. The William L. Hutcheson UBCJA finally approved both Under construction, May 1927 -3- came to celebrate the upcoming opening of the Carpen• ters' Home. The total cost of the Carpenters' Home was approximately $3,000,000 ($41.5 million today). Completion of the Carpenters' Home spurred develop• ment in north Lakeland. Workers at the Carpenters' Home had to live nearby, so homes were built in the area. The City of Lakeland even extended North Florida Avenue to the Home's east entrance to better serve the Home and its residents. On March 14, 1929, the Home for Aged Members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of Ameri• ca officially opened. The Home could accommodate up to 400 residents and included a lounge, library, dining included 594 acres of orange groves, which Haldeman room, a 24-bed hospital, and an auditorium seating 956 knew would be an attraction for Hutcheson. people. Amenities for the residents included movies in In September 1923, Chamber Manager Appleyard trav• the auditorium, a recreation hall, an 18-hole golf course eled to the union headquarters in Indianapolis and pre• (added in 1931), a fishing dock, and facilities for outdoor sented the proposal for the tract near Lake Gibson. The games such as shuffleboard and roque. price was $632,393 or approximately $375 per acre. Up to this time, the union had favored a site near Howey-in- Only 20 residents (or "inmates," as they were called) the-Hills, but the price was approximately $1,000 per arrived in March. The number of residents was reduced acre. when William Glissman passed away on March 26, only The union's General Executive Board (GEB) made a final 12 days after he arrived. Mr. GHssman was the first tour of potential Florida sites in early December, visiting resident to be buried in the Carpenters' Home Cemetery, Fort Myers, Dade City, Brooksville, Bradenton, Miami, located less than a mile to the east of the residence Tampa, Lakeland, and Howey-in-the-Hills. However, building. Eventually 1,262 retired carpenters were bur• on December 15, Hutcheson, by force of personality, ied there. steered the other members of the GEB to choose Lake• Life at the Carpenters' Home was initially highly regi• land as the site of the Carpenters' Home. Sadly, Thomas mented. Reveille was at 6:30 am, with breakfast from J. Appleyard Jr. would never live to see his efforts come 7:00 to 7:30 am. Town passes, required to leave the to fruition, dying at the age of 41 in January 1926. property, were issued at 10:00 am. Lunch was 12:30 to The nationally-known architectural firm of Rubush & 1:00 pm, and visitation was from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Sup• Hunter was chosen to design the Home. The firm had per was from 6:00 to 6:30 pm, and bedtime was at 10:00 designed over 200 buildings throughout the United pm. Among the many rules was the requirement that States, most notably the Flamingo Hotel in Miami Beach. political and religious discussions were forbidden. The Carpenters' Home's design was to be one of the In spite of the rules, occasional conflicts between resi• finest examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture dents did occur. Most disputes were minor, but on May in Central Florida. The union then hired Fred T. Ley & Company to build the Home. This company had built many buildings and bridges in the Northeast, eventually including the Chrysler Building in New York City. Construction began in January 1927, and the Carpenters' Home was dedicated on October 1, 1928. In attendance at the dedication were many dignitaries, including the U.S. Secretary of Labor, the president of the American Federation of Labor, the secretary of the International Union of Woodworkers, Congressman Herbert J. Drane, and Lakeland Mayor W. F. Reid. Over 1,000 attendees The Auditorium -4- 4, 1972, a resident and a staff member were shot follow• leled the U.S. Government's efforts to create "a system ing a fistfight between two residents. of Federal old-age benefits" for workers and their fami• The UBCJA continued to enlarge their Carpenters' lies. The Social Security Act was enacted in August 1935, Home property by acquiring additional orange groves. and payment of monthly Social Security benefits began Eventually, the union owned almost 2,000 acres, stretch• in January 1940. In 1956, the law was amended to also ing from Lake Gibson to west of Kathleen Road. In provide disability benefits. The UBCJA realized that the addition to its groves, the Home had a garden to pro• need for the Carpenters' Home was disappearing. vide fresh vegetables and a dairy to provide milk for the Beginning in the 1950's, the number of residents at the Home's kitchen. Hutcheson's hope that the Home Carpenters' Home began to decline. The introduction of would be financially self-sustaining was never realized. Medicare in 1965 helped seal the fate of the Carpenters' The pension savings and citrus income were never Home. In particular, the cost per Home resident was enough to pay for the cost of operation. steadily rising, and stricter requirements were being William L. Hutcheson remained the general president of placed by the Florida Department of Health and Rehabil• the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of itative Services on the Home's operations. Finally, in America until his death in 1952. During that time, he fell October 1972, a referendum called by the UBCJA's Gen• in love with Lakeland, buying a home on Lake Hollings- eral Executive Board voted to close the Carpenters' worth Drive and spending part of each year in Lakeland. Home. Since the Home's existing residents had to be His son, Maurice Hutcheson, succeeded William as cared for, the Carpenters' Home didn't close until four union president. Maurice and his wife eventually re• years later. tired to Lakeland in 1972, buying a home on Lone Pakn The Carpenters' Home officially closed on November 1, Drive. 1976. The building later served as a church school for In ca. 1950, the hospital was enlarged to 72 beds, lower• many years. In 2011, the building was abandoned and ing the Home's capacity to 350. However, the Home fell into disrepair. In 2015, Lakeland Senior Living LLC, never had more than 300 men living there. In the operating as Lake Gibson Village, purchased the proper• Home's last decades, more and more of the men enter• ty and rehabilitated the building, restoring much of its ing the Home were advanced in age and in poor health. original character while adding many modern amenities. As a result, the hospital in the Carpenters' Home func• On September 8, 2016, Lake Gibson Village opened as a tioned increasingly as a nursing home. Due to Medicare senior living community, returning the Carpenters' and Florida Department of Health and RehabiHtative Home to its original use. Services requirements, the hospital was closed in ca. The Carpenters' Home in Lakeland was one union's 1973. The patients were then placed in nearby nursing response to the recognized need to provide for its elder• homes. ly and disabled members. While union retirement Most unions in the early Twentieth Century chose only homes did not flourish, the Carpenters' Home was a to create a pension plan. However, by the 1940's, unions noble experiment, as America sought ways to provide shifted their attention to obtaining employer pension proper care for its elderly workers and their families. plans. The growth in employer pension plans paral- The Home provided 2,205 elderly men with care, digni• ty, and companionship throughout its 47-year career.

Roque Court Lake Gibson Village BIBLIOGRAPHY "Former Union President Maurice Hutcheson Dies," The Ledger, Lakeland, FL, January 10,1983, p. IB. Bartell, H. Robert, and Simpson, Elizabeth T., Pension Funds of Multiemphi/er Industrial "General Executive Board Concludes Continued Operation of Carpenters' Home is No Groups, Unions, and Nonprofit Organizations, National Bureau of Economic Research, Longer in Best Interest of Overall Membership," TIK Carpenter, October 1972, UBCJA, p. 1968, p. 2. 4. Beneficial Activities of American Trade-Unions, Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 1928, "Historical Background and Development of Social Security," Social Security Adminis• p. 45. tration, https://www.ssa.go\'/history/briefhistory3.html. June 25, 2016. Buell, Murray F., ed., "The Life and Worl< of William L. Hutcheson," The William L. "Home for Our Aged Members," The Carpenter, April 1924, UBCJA, p. 21. Hutclieson Memorial Forest Bulletin, Dedication Issue, Rutgers, The State University, New "Hutcheson Dies of Heart Attack," Lakeland Ledger, Lakeland, FL, October 20,1953. Brunswick, NJ, 1957, p. 6. "Increase in Per Capita Tax to the General Office," Vie Carpenter, August 1923, UBCJA, p. "Carpenters Chose Home Site in 1922, Dedicated in 1928," Lakeland Ledger, Lakeland, FL, 45. February5,1961,p. 4-1. "Its Halls are Quiet Now," Tampa Tribune, Tampa, FL, October 10,1976. "The Carpenters' Home," TheLedger, Lakeland, FL, January 4,1970, pp. 2-6,11-14. Johnson, Jack O., The Carpenter's Court, Lakeland, FL, 1988, p. 13. "The Dedication of Our Home," The Carpenter, December 1928, UBCJA, p. 20-21.

MARKING HISTORY: A LOOK AT FOLK'S HISTORICAL MARKER PROGRAM /BY LLOYD HARRIS

istorical markers across our PoLK COUNTY The Polk County Historical Marker HNation's landscape denote the HISTORICAL COMMISSION Program recognizes and encourages site of memorable events, notable per• MARKERS the preservation of local history. The

sons, buildings, structures, and histor• CARPENTERS' HOME application process is fairly simple ical sites. They provide a tangible CIRCLE B BAR RANCH and requires documentation for con• link to share memories, promote an FLORENCE VILLA TRAINING sideration. The completed applica• SCHOOL educational glimpse of the past and tion, sponsor, and initial processing FORT ARBUCKLE encourage tourism. Polk County is FORT CARROLL fee is first reviewed within the sub• dotted with a plethora of markers, FORT CLINCH committee and then passed to the plaques, monuments, medallions, FORT CUMMINGS Historical Commission for final ap• FORT ERASER and signage dedicated to coinmemo- proval. After the marker is delivered, FORT GARDINER rate and memorialize our history. FORT MEADE appropriate dedication ceremonies The Polk County Historical Commis• KISSENGEN SPRING are planned. Marker guidelines and OLD POLK COUNTY the application can be accessed sion, created by State Legislative ac• COURTHOUSE through the History Center website tion on May 4, 1937, actively PIERCE participates in erecting distinctive his• PUGHSVILLE (2 LOCATIONS) or obtained at the History Center in torical markers. The purpose of the PuBLix SUPER MARKET, 1940 Bartow. Details about pricing and siz• SUMICA Historical Commission is to serve as es are available as well. Sponsors 1928 SURVEYOR'S LAKE must secure funding for the proposed an advisory board to the Board of SCHOOLHOUSE marker and final cost is relative to the County Commissioners on historical BiLLIE BOWXEGS, CHUFI HAJO matters with many diverse duties, GRAVE (Glades County) (2) type of marker requested. The erect• including the responsibility to mark ed markers are maintained by the historical places in Polk County. A county. subcommittee was created to oversee Polk County Historical Markers are the historical marker program. separate from the federal inventory of historic properties (the National Reg• Currently, 20 markers are in place ister of Historic Places) and State of (see list) and the Historical Commis• Florida historical marker program. sion is reviewing more applicant re• Application for (or the approval of) a quests. The most recent addition to Polk County Historical Marker does this honored group is the marker at not constitute a nomination to the the Carpenters' Home in Lakeland. State or National Register. More in• In early 2017, the program will dedi• formation about both programs is cate a new marker at the site of the available through the Polk County original 1940 Publix Super Market. Photo by Lois Sherrouse-Murphy Historical Commission.

Polk County's many historical markers provide an opportunity to enjoy and learn the early history of Polk's places, people, and heritage.

-6- DONATION OF HISTORICAL ASSETS / BY S.L. FRISBIE, IV

t has been said that journalists write the first rough in the dusty archives was one volume of The Record's Idraft of history. Often, it is the only draft, since the predecessor. The Courier-Informant, for 1894-95. daily activities in the life of a community rarely find Included are 46 issues of the Summerlin Echo, the year• their way into definitive history books. book of Bartow High School, including the first issue in 1916, and 32 issues of the FoMeHiSo, the Fort Meade With the closure of The Polk County Democrat office in High School yearbook, including its first issue in 1926. Bartow (it has been consolidated with offices of three The Democrat's complete files of news photographs and other Polk County newspapers in Winter Haven), items negatives also were given to the History Center. of historical value were delivered to the Polk County History Center by 25 cadets from Summerlin Academy. Adding depth to the historical assets are hundreds of Among these historical treasures were the bound files photocopies of historic photos from the Louise K. Frisbie (177 volumes) of The Democrat, beginning with its very Collection, mounted on acid free cardboard for archival first issue on Aug. 28,1931, along with 62 volumes of its permanence. Mrs. Frisbie, copy editor of The Democrat predecessor. The Polk County Record, and numerous for most of her adult life, developed a passion for local other historic books, documents and photographs com• history later in life and wrote three historical books: piled over 75 years by Frisbie Publishing Co. Also found Peace River Pioneers, Yesterday's Polk County, andPlorida's Fabled Inns.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: SUMMERLIN ACADEMY

total of twenty-five cadets from Bartow's Summerlin Academy assisted with Athe physical move of the boxes and bound newspaper volumes from the Democrat Office to the Historical and Genealogical Library. Under the guidance of Librarian LuAnn Mims and Summerlin's SEC Lloyd Harris, the students worked diligently and enthusiastically for five hours, carefully handling heavy boxes and fragile newspapers in the successful transfer. This service event was also education• al as the students inquired about the context and content of these unique items - some were even surprised to find their own family history! Staff of the History Center really appreciate all this wonderful help which included S.L. Frisbie, Steve Steiner, and Jason Hamer.

The History Center welcomes school groups and individuals interested in completing community service hours. During the year, many opportuni• ties arise where youth volunteers can participate. Students benefit from volunteering by develop• ing greater leadership skills, being involved with problem solving and planning techniques, and even gaining a new appreciation for history. This also encourag• es lifelong commitment of community engagement. Interested students, at least fourteen years of age, who are able to follow instructions with minimal supervi• sion, should first set up an appointment to become familiar with volunteer policies by calling the Polk County History Center at 863.534.4386.

Applications are required. Please visit online at Volunteer Polk. (littp://www.polk-county.net/boccsite/Our-CommunityA^olunteer-Polk/)

-7- POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION PO BOX 2749 BARTOW, FL 33831-2749

SAVE THE DATE! THURSDAY, JUNE 15 , 2017 - PCHA ANNUAL MEETING AND PIONEER LUNCHEON AT THE BARTOW CIVIC CENTER. The theme of this year's program is World War I, in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the United States' entry into the GREAT WAR. Additional details about the Luncheon coming soon!

The Polk County Historical Association and support local history. Dues and contributions help fund historical research, educational programs for all ages and JOIN publications. Members receive a subscription to the Polk Proud History Quarter• ly. Join or renew today. Send payment to PCHA, P.O. Box 2749, Bartow, FL 33831.

PCHA is a 501 ( c ) (3) organization. Consider a charitable bequest in your estate planning.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS: The membership year now runs from June 1 through Benefactor - $500 or more May 31. Membership questions may be directed to Pioneer - $100 or more Lois Sherrouse-Murphy, PCHA Secretary, Family Membership - $50 at (863) 534-4386 or by e-mail to Individual Membership - $30 [email protected] Youth/College - $10

7/^ POLKCOUNTY POLK HISTORY CENTER COUNTY