Planet City, a historical landmark, is a tapestry of its culture, heritage and agriculture. Most people might know this place for its celebrated name “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.” Plant City, a charming little city, boasts deep roots in its Native
American heritage. Known for its vibrant strawberry production, the city also embraces a passion for trains, recognizing their significant role in driving economic growth.
So, today, we are going to share with you the amazing history of Plant City and what locations you have to visit to make yourself feel at home.
Historical Overview of Plant City, Florida
Early Settlement and Origins
The lovely city we now call Plant City was originally called “Ichepuckesassa”. It was named after the Native American village that was occupying the area at that time. After some time in the mid-1800s, some settlers arrived in the area and established an agricultural community. This settlement was briefly named “Cork”, which was taken from an early postmaster’s hometown in Ireland.
In 1885, The city was renamed in honor of Henry B. Plant. He was a well-loved railroad tycoon who brought his South Florida Railroad to Plant City in the year 1884. His railroad played a big role in transporting the city crops, increasing the growth of the fueling economy and making Plant City an actual town in 1885.
Agricultural Development and Strawberry Industry
While at the beginning of their agricultural development, Plant City only focused on cotton. However, after some time had passed, they shifted their focus to strawberry farming–because of the land’s favorable climate, which allowed them to produce strawberries all year round. This little development led to the town being known as the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World” and helped Florida become the leading strawberry producer by the early 20th century.
In 1930, Plant City held its first but soon-to-be annual Strawberry Festival. It was held to celebrate the local industry while also trying to attract the attention of potential visitors statewide. Soon after, the festival became a key cultural and economic event. It featured everything from agricultural exhibits and entertainment to food vendors.
Notable Infrastructure and Growth
When 1916 came, Henry and Flossie Kilgore established the Kilgore Seed Company. It first started out as a small store but slowly expanded into a large building in Plant City. It also becomes quite significant in the city’s agricultural circles by selling seeds and developing unique crop varieties. Later on, the company was then acquired by Upjohn in 1968.
Between all this, in 1928, The Bing Rooming House Museum was constructed. This historical site helped Plant City preserve its African American heritage while also serving as a stopping point for African Americans during the era of segregation. These days, it serves as a museum and a cultural landmark.
Modern Cultural Significance
From 1988 to 1997, Plant City became a Baseball Hub. It became a spring training site for the Cincinnati Reds–highlighting the city’s role as a community gathering place and regional attraction.
Nowadays, because of its historical buildings, annual events like the Strawberry Festival and beautiful cultural sites like the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center. Plant City has remained a popular destination to this day. Moreover, because of its heritage as an agricultural center and cultural events–Plant City continues to drive local tourism while also preserving its unique identity.
Demographics of Plant City, Florida: Age Groups and Ethnic Diversity
Plant City is located in Hillsborough County, Florida. According to the World Population Review report–Plant City has a population of 40,837 in the year 2024. At the same time, the current growth rate of Plant City is at 0.66% annually. Furthermore, Stats from the World Population Review shows that its population has increased by 2.68% since its most recent census which recorded a population of 39,771 in the year 2020.
Age Group Distribution In Plant City
| Children under 18 | 23.5% |
| Adults 18-44 | 32.4% |
| Adults 45-64 | 24.8% |
| Seniors 65 and older | 19.3% |
Plant City Ethnic Demographics
According to the World Population Review report, this is the current Ethnic Demographic of Plant City, Florida.
| Caucasian/Europeans | 65.55% |
| African Americans | 13.6% |
| Larger Race Groups (Hispanics, Latinos) | 10.83% |
| Other races | 6.86% |
| Asians | 1.72% |
| Native Americans | 1.44% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0% |
Local Attractions and Locations to Visit in Plant City, Florida.
While Plant City offers its visitors its historical heritage and lively events, it is also a city full of life and color, which shows in its different local attractions and locations that attract not only travelers but also its local community. Here are some of those attractions that show Plant City’s diverse offerings while also highlighting its love for history, culture and natural beauty.
Dinosaur World
Constructed in 1998. Dinosaur World is a must-visit location for the lovers of the Jurassic era. It has 150 astounding life-sized dinosaur models that are placed in their natural habitat. Dinosaur World is known for being a family-friendly attraction that allows its visitors to explore the prehistoric world while also enjoying the lush landscape. This park also provides its visitors with a picnic area that also has a playground–making it an ideal place for families. Not to mention, it also provides its visitors with accessibility with amenities like wheelchair rentals and handicapped restrooms.
Plant City Ghost Tours by Ghost Party
If you are a fan of horror and like to be spooked, then you are in luck. This unique offers a spooky yet family-friendly exploration of the haunted history of Plant City. Plant City Ghost Tours is guided by a group of knowledgeable guides. This tour, while a bit scary, is suitable for all age groups, while also offering discounts for children.
Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum
Dedicated to the history of railroads in Florida. This museum attracts the attention of its visitors with a variety of exhibits that are related to trains and railroading. Visitors can enjoy an interactive experience with the museum’s interactive displays. While also learning about the impact that railroads had on the development of the Plant City and the area that surrounds it. Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum provides its visitors with accessibility and a fun educational experience for both families and train enthusiasts.
H.B. Plant Railroad Historical Society
Just like the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, this historical society is focused on preserving the history of the railroad industry in Florida. H.B. Plant Railroad Historical Society provides its visitors with exhibits and events that help highlight the key role railroads have played in developing the region. This location also comes with facilities like wheelchair accessibility, while also providing a welcoming environment for history buffs.
Bing Rooming House Museum
Another museum that shows appreciation for its city heritage. The Bing Rooming House Museum proudly shares the history of Plant City’s African American life during the early to mid-20th century. It is a historical site that gives insight into the previous communities’ cultural heritage through exhibits and guided tours. The museum welcomes everyone with open arms–while also being accessible as it offers valuable educational experiences for its visitors.
Edward Medard Conservation Park
Edward Medard Conservation is an expansive park that harbors exciting activity providers like hiking trails, picnic areas and the most exciting of all, opportunities for birdwatching with wildlife observation. It is an ideal park for people who like to go out and explore while enjoying nature. The park also gives its visitors amenities like grills and playgrounds for children. Also, it allows pet owners to bring their pets as long as they are on a leash.
Plant City Recreation & Parks
Plant City Recreation & Parks acts as a hub for providing different facilities for sports and community events. Among its many parks, some are perfect for family outings and recreational activities like baseball courts and playgrounds. Furthermore, this center is also highly rated and preferred by its local community for its cleanliness and accessibility.
Local Economy and Employment Opportunities
According to DATA USA, between the years 2021 to 2022. The employment rate of Plant City had grown at a rate of 0.908% from 20.2k employees to 20.3k employees. Also, the more common job groups, by the number of people living in Plant City, FL, at that time were Office/ Administrative Support Occupations, Sales Related Occupations and Construction Occupations.
Local Businesses
Harbour Roofing
With twenty-six years of experience, Harbour Roofing has been keeping the residents of Florida dry with their immaculate services. They are a product service provider, and its motto can be summed up into three simple phrases: “high quality, low volume, ethical pricing.”
Whistle Stop Cafe
Whistle Stop Cafe has a cozy environment with a historical charm. This place offers its visitors a variety of comfort foods, great coffee and amazing desserts. It also features outdoor seating, which offers a great view for its live performances. This also plays a big role in making this the most popular spot for casual dinners–which is also the reason why it is such a well-loved cafe by the locals.
1916 Irish Pub
A laid-back Irish pub that serves classic Irish dishes with a selection of beers and cocktails, it is a dream come true for pub lovers. Not only that, the 1916 Irish Pub also offers its visitors sports TVs, live music and a lively atmosphere that makes enjoying your lunch or dinner ten times more enjoyable. It is a must-visit place for those who are looking for good food and an entertaining but casual setting.
Brick House Cafe
Brick House Cafe is a casual dining destination that is known for its hearty American fare. It’s a cafe that offers its visitors an extensive menu, which covers everything from burgers to country-fried steak. Brick House is loved by the locals for its relaxed vibes and is popular for its breakfast and lunch. This also shows its amazing service and welcoming atmosphere–making it an ideal place for families.
Krazy Kup
Loved by the community for its charm. Krazy Kup is a coffee shop that is famous for its delicious espresso drinks and mouth-watering baked goods. Furthermore, it also gives its visitors the option to visit its upstairs musical space, where they can entertain themselves with live performances that are held regularly. This makes it an ideal spot for people who are looking for a quick bite while they enjoy the local music.
Best Schools in Plant City, Florida
Lincoln Elementary Magnet School
One of the most highly rated magnet schools in Plant City. Lincoln Elementary Magnet School provides its services for grades PK-5. They have an amazing proficiency score of 71% in math and 63% in reading, which shows their dedication as an institute. It is well-known among the locals for its strong foundation and offering different enrichment programs. This allows them to create a supporting learning environment for their students.
Walden Lake Elementary School
Walden Lake Elementary School serves grades PK-5 and is recognized by the local community for its dedication to academic excellence. It has a proficiency score of 61% in math and 58% in reading. This elementary school gives its students a nurturing environment that encourages them to be engaged and take part in the community.
Durant High School
Giving their services from grades 9-12. Durant High School is well-known for its comprehensive curriculum and amazing extracurricular activities. It is a school that is proud of its diverse students and offers them many Advanced Placement (AP) courses–to help them be ready for college. It has Proficiency scores of 50% in math and 47% in reading.
Ready To Visit Plant City, Florida?
To make it short, Plant City is a wholesome city that welcomes visitors with open arms. There are many ways you can learn about this little city, from its amazing number of museums to its spooky traveling guides, not to mention the plethora of attractive locations and restaurants it has to make you feel comfortable as you spend your days in this picturesque city. So, pack your bag and visit Plant City for a work and family-friendly trip.