Near Palmetto in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Site of Atwood Grove and Origin of World's 1st Pink Grapefruit /
Grapefruit Introduced to Florida in 1846
Inscription.
Site of Atwood Grove and Origin of World's 1st Pink Grapefruit
Across U.S. 301 stood the Kimball C. Atwood Grapefruit Grove and Manavista, a town that he founded in 1892 and encircled with 100 (mile-long) rows of trees. Here in 1913 grove supervisor R.B. Foster found a biological mutation of Pink-fleshed fruit growing on a single limb of a Walters Seedless yellow-fruited grapefruit tree. Citrus growers later labeled the oddity "nature's million dollar mistake." Reasoner Brothers Royal Palm Nurseries grafted budwood from this source onto orange stock, resulting in the 1914 introduction "Foster Seedless Pink Grapefruit." Texas bought its original trees from this Oneco nursery in the 1920s.
Grapefruit Introduced to Florida in 1846
Grapefruit reached the New World in 1696 after crossing the Pacific in a ship commanded by Captain Shaddock. The fruit was introduced to the island of Barbados in the West Indies and became known as the pomelo and shaddock, the latter after the importer. Names were later changed to "grapefruit" because it grows in clusters, like a grape. The next moves were Jamaica and Cuba and from there Count Odet Philippe introduced grapefruit to Florida in 1846 to what is now Safety Harbor in Pinellas County. In 1963, he was elected to the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame located in Winter Haven.
Erected 1999 by Manatee County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 27° 31.336′ N, 82° 32.813′ W. Marker is near Palmetto, Florida, in Manatee County. It is on U.S. 301 (U.S. 301) just east of 16th Ave. E., on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 US-301, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Craig Sugar Mill Chimney (approx. Ύ mile away); Lincoln Memorial High School (approx. one mile away); Gamble Mansion and Plantation (approx. 1.2 miles away); Judah P. Benjamin Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Gamble Plantation (approx. 1.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Gamble Sugar Cane Mill (approx. 1.3 miles away); Confederate Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2013, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,913 times since then and 127 times this year. Last updated on March 19, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2013, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on March 19, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 4. submitted on March 17, 2026, by Jim Marsh of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?



