Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
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

 
 
Site of Atwood Grove and Origin of World's 1st Pink Grapefruit Marker Side 1 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 27, 2013
1. Site of Atwood Grove and Origin of World's 1st Pink Grapefruit Marker Side 1
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
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
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. Marker 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.
 
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. ¾ 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).
 
Grapefruit Introduced to Florida in 1846 Marker Side 2 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 27, 2013
2. Grapefruit Introduced to Florida in 1846 Marker Side 2
Site of Atwood Grove and Origin of World's 1st Pink Grapefruit / Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dave W, March 18, 2023
3. Site of Atwood Grove and Origin of World's 1st Pink Grapefruit / Marker
Marker has been moved to just in front of the Detwiler's Farm Market store
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2013, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,274 times since then and 124 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. • 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?

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=218387

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisement
Apr. 26, 2024