Nokomis in Sarasota County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Turpentine / Venice Ice House

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, February 12, 2014

1. Turpentine / Venice Ice House Marker

Inscription.
Turpentine
Early in the 20th Century, turpentine camps were established in Nokomis and Venice. Typically black laborers cut a V-shaped “cat face” in the bark of pine trees, from which gum oozed into a clay or tin pot nailed to the tree. Others collected the gum, and the “stiller” heated it in a wood-fired still to produce the distilled turpentine and the resin residue. The finished products were shipped by rail to distant markets. R. S. Hall & W. O. Harrison leased land west of the railroad in Nokomis for a turpentine operation that used convict labor. The practice of leasing state convicts for labor was made illegal in 1919.

Venice Ice House
As part of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers' development of the current City of Venice in the 1920s, the Venice Ice Company operated next to the railroad in Nokomis. At a time when homes and businesses did not have electric refrigeration, a cake of ice, delivered daily, kept food cold in an icebox. The Venice Ice Company produced 20-tons of ice a day to serve the southern part of the county.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 27° 7.248′

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N, 82° 26.704′ W. Marker is in Nokomis, Florida, in Sarasota County. Marker can be reached from Colonia Lane East, half a mile east of South Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41), on the left when traveling east. Marker is located on the Sarasota-to-Venice Legacy Rail Trail, on the east side of the trail, 1/10 mile north of Colonia Lane East. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nokomis FL 34275, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Knight Memorial/Area First Cemetery (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); History of Nokomis / Fred Albee (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nokomis School (approx. ¼ mile away); Curry Family / Wading Birds (approx. 0.4 miles away); Shakett Creek / Estuary "the cradle of the ocean" (approx. half a mile away); Venice Post Office (approx. 0.7 miles away); Pentagon 9-11 Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Johnson Chapel / Albee Quarters (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nokomis.

More about this marker. Marker is a large laser-printed metal plaque, mounted horizontally on a waist-high post.

Regarding Turpentine / Venice Ice House. Over time, the extensive production of turpentine in the Carolinas and Georgia led to the destruction of the pine forests. Seeking new virgin timber, the industry turned south into Florida with its

Marker detail: Cutting the Cat Face image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Sarasota County History Center

2. Marker detail: Cutting the Cat Face

vast pine forests. This southward movement occurred in the 1900s. During this time the demand for labor led Florida to lease prisoners to the turpentine companies. Approximately 10 percent of the force in Florida was comprised of convict forced labor. In the 1900s, the average worker in the turpentine camps relied on the company for most of his goods and services. The camp provided small shacks or shanties for the workers and their families. In addition to housing, the worker was paid monthly. In the early 1900s, the average wage was based on the amount of trees worked. Workers could earn $15-25 a month; however, in many camps the pay was often in the form of specie, scrip, or tokens usable in the company stores.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Laurel Turpentine Industry

Marker detail: Venice Ice Company image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Venice Archives and Area Historical Collection

3. Marker detail: Venice Ice Company

Rustic Warehouse & Venice-to-Sarasota Rail Trail (<i>wide view north from marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 3, 2014

4. Rustic Warehouse & Venice-to-Sarasota Rail Trail (wide view north from marker)

The Brutality of Florida's Turpentine Camps image. Click for more information.

via Flo Writer, unknown

5. The Brutality of Florida's Turpentine Camps

Flo Write website entry:
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 15, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on January 5, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.