Palmetto in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Rubonia Women's Club

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 29, 2017

1. Rubonia Women's Club Marker

Inscription. For the first twenty years, the Silver Leaf Club, also known as the Rubonia Women's Club, met in member's homes. In time, the Club grew and began a search for an affordable larger building. Following World War II, Mead Smith of Palm View purchased a number of buildings from McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, through the War Assets Administration, established March 25, 1946. This program ended on June 30, 1949.

Smith and his wife, Mildred J. Smith, deeded an old barracks building to the Silver Leaf Women's Club of Rubonia on April 26, 1962. Bertha Lee Joyner, Alice Livingston and Marie Douglas signed the deed as trustees for the Club. The full purchase price was $9,495. The Club paid down $95.00 and continued paying $75.50 per month to fulfill the contract.

As time passed, the original Club members grew older. Newer, younger members faced other commitments. The upkeep of the World War II building faltered and a storm damaged the building severely in 2012. It was scheduled for demolition as the Rubonia Women's Club planned for a replacement building.

Erected by Manatee County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is April 26, 1962.

Location.

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27° 34.695′ N, 82° 33.135′ W. Marker is in Palmetto, Florida, in Manatee County. It is on 72nd Street East just west of 12th Avenue Drive East, on the left when traveling west. The former location is now an empty lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Palmetto FL 34221, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast

and on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans of Rubonia (a few steps from this marker); Franklin C. Armstrong (approx. 1½ miles away); Terra Ceia School/Village Improvement Association Hall (approx. 1.8 miles away); Atzeroth Home Site (approx. 2 miles away); Guerrero Home Site (approx. 2.6 miles away); Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site (approx. 2.7 miles away); Old Memphis Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away); Lincoln Memorial High School (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palmetto.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Gillette Community (was approx. 2.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Rubonia Women's Club Marker looking east image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 29, 2017

2. Rubonia Women's Club Marker looking east

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 768 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.