DiscoverWimauma

02/27/2025

Once in a lifetime opportunity, don't miss it.

02/26/2025

Wimauma Airport, built 1938 was originally called the Wimauma Army Air Corps Auxilliary Airfield for fighter and bomber training during WWll.
There were two runways. Interesting fact, British troops were trained there.
In 2024, airport management discovered records indicating there was a Airfield Designator/Marker .

The Circle is an interesting artifact left behind by the US military and can be seen in aerial imagery dating back to Nov 1938. Circle Depth ranges from 4" to 1' in certain locations.

It is a well preserved vestige of yesteryear and was used as an Aerial Marker for Aircraft Navigation and Runway Identification.

Wimauma CDC

Visitors are welcome.

02/26/2025

Mt.Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. The little boy in front wearing suspenders is Monroe Covington Jr. He would grow up in Wimauma and join the US NAVY, retiring after serving almost 40 years. At the age of 16, he sued and won a federal racial discrimination lawsuit in Wimauma.

02/26/2025

Prisoners harvesting Turpentine in Balm , Florida.
There were numerous Sawmill and Turpentine Stills in Hillsborough County.

02/26/2025

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/special-reports/erased/missing-graves-cemetery-wimauma-radar-search/67-426dafe6-be71-4316-9083-2cbdc304051e

As ground scans reveal 31 possible graves scattered across a church and neighboring property, a local activist finds ways to build community.

02/26/2025

https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/history/2024/02/09/wimauma-black-cemetery-segregation-unmarked-graves/
Spectrum Bay News 9
FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay

Graves from a neighboring Black burial ground extend into a backyard and two county rights-of-way.

02/26/2025

The largest plantations in Hillsborough County were in the area that is now Manatee County.
30-40% of the enslaved people in Hillsborough worked on sugar plantations along the Manatee River
The Gamble Mansion is the last antebellum Mansion in South Florida. It is located in Ellenton, Florida. Minutes from Wimauma.

Centered on the last antebellum mansion in South Florida, Gamble Plantation Historic State Park interprets the Civil War in Florida along the north shore of the Manatee River near Bradenton.

02/26/2025

Small sawmill, Childs, Florida. Owned by "wealthy" man, Mr. Warren, in Fort Meade, Florida. Negro workers build their own shacks out of old lumber from around there, work ten hours a day for two dollars, six days a week. The children don't go to school.

Ft.Meade is our neighbor to the east in Polk County. Many of Wimauma's African Americans either lived in Ft.Meade or had relatives in Ft.Meade.

02/26/2025

Very excited to locate this drawing of Tampa Longshoremen loading a carriage on a ship at the docks in Tampa. Late 1800's.

02/26/2025

Willow Sawmill in Manatee County. Willow and the immediate area, later became part of Wimauma.
The Steamer is currently on display in Tampa.
In 1920 the sawmill caught fire (Middle picture) and was rebuilt.
After the great depression, the Robbin's Family, last owners of the sawmill, were forced to close, however there were 75 African American families residing at the sawmill. The Robbins Family not only allowed their employees to stay at the sawmill for one year, they provided provisions for them as well, at no cost.

02/26/2025

Many African Americans used these books as they travelled. If you have one of these, preserve it. They're very valuable.

02/26/2025

Wimauma's Black History is very rich...these pictures were taken in 1926. We're working on identifying those in these pictures.

01/20/2025

On Jan.15th, 2025, Hillsborough County BOCC approved Bethune Park Master Plan by an overwhelming majority of Commissioners ( they all said yes).This is a huge win for the Community of Wimauma. And the best part, it's funded.
Trivia: Do you know why Bethune Park was built?

01/20/2025

MLK's Nobel Prize acceptance speech excerpt, December 1964:

"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.

I refuse to accept the cynical notion that nation after nation must spiral down a militaristic stairway into the hell of thermonuclear destruction. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. I believe that even amid today’s mortar bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow. I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood-flowing streets of our nations, can be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men. I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down men other-centered can build up. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land. “And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid.” I still believe that we shall overcome!

This faith can give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future. It will give our tired feet new strength as we continue our forward stride toward the city of freedom. When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds and our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, we will know that we are living in the creative turmoil of a genuine civilization struggling to be born."

01/14/2025

Happy New Year!

At 9 a.m. on Jan. 15, the Hillsborough County Community & Infrastructure Planning team will present the final Bethune Park Master Plan to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) at the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting.

In addition to the concept plans and renderings shared at the 2024 public meetings, the master plan includes a report with additional details and background on the planning process, the history of Bethune Park, a budget estimate, and other important information helpful for community partners to make this plan a success.

12/27/2024

Wimauma has unveiled the first of several historic markers that tell the stories of African Americans that lived in the Bethune area of Wimauma.
The history of Wimauma is well known, stories of this areas black population during segregation has not been told until now.
Congratulations Tonya Gay Jackson and your family.