https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/browse?tags=The+Senator&sort_field=added&sort_dir=a&output=atom2024-03-29T01:37:31+00:00Omekahttps://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/621
Located at 761 General Hutchinson Parkway in present-day Longwood, Florida, the new park was named the Big Tree Park in honor of the main attraction. In 1929, President Calvin Coolidge dedicated a bronze plaque at the site of the tree. The plaque was stolen in 1945. Based on a core sample taken by the American Forestry Association, The Senator was estimated to be 3500 years old in 1946. The Big Tree Park also features another giant cypress estimated to be 2000 years old. In 2005, local elementary students names the tree Lady Liberty. It was considered to be the companion tree to The Senator, as they were only 40 feet apart. The Senator continued to be a tourist attraction and local landmark until January 16, 2012, when it was lost in a fire.]]>2015-04-21T13:29:47+00:00
Dublin Core
Title
Cypress 2800 Years Old
Alternative Title
The Senator
Subject
Longwood (Fla.)
Ecotourism--Florida
Bald cypress
Cypresses
Description
The giant bald cypress tree known as The Senator during the first quarter of the 20th century. As early as the late 1800s, this centuries-old tree was considered a tourist destination, but it wasn't until 1927 that a park was established around the tree. Senator Moses O. Overstreet donated six acres of land , which included the tree, to Seminole County to establish a park with the stipulation that a road would be built to take visitors into the park. The generosity of Senator Overstreet inspired residents to name the giant cypress tree "The Senator."
Located at 761 General Hutchinson Parkway in present-day Longwood, Florida, the new park was named the Big Tree Park in honor of the main attraction. In 1929, President Calvin Coolidge dedicated a bronze plaque at the site of the tree. The plaque was stolen in 1945. Based on a core sample taken by the American Forestry Association, The Senator was estimated to be 3500 years old in 1946. The Big Tree Park also features another giant cypress estimated to be 2000 years old. In 2005, local elementary students names the tree Lady Liberty. It was considered to be the companion tree to The Senator, as they were only 40 feet apart. The Senator continued to be a tourist attraction and local landmark until January 16, 2012, when it was lost in a fire.
Abstract
2800 Years Old or So: To calculate the age of a cypress present many difficulties. Nature of habitat, health of tree and accidents caused by the elements, all influence the rate of growth and so the number of annual rings. In our studies of logs and plugs taken from the outer ten inches of both hollow and solid trees we found as low as fifteen years (15 growth rings) per inch, to as high as seventy years (70 growth rings) per inch. In general the rate of diameter growth of cypress, as compared with that of other trees, decreases with age. But there are sometimes also alternating periods of slow and rapid growth. It must be evident then that we cannot arrive at an average growth rate and apply it with prevision. It is difficult to determine accurately the age of an individual whose stubby, crippled top and hollow trunk on the one hand, record catastrophes, but whose immense diameter on the other, might suggest centuries and even millenia. Whether you want to parallel its birth with the Battle of Maraton (490 BC) or with the Glorious day of Egypt (1500-1300 BC) depends on your own conservatish or enthusiasm. Our estimate is 2,800 years. It may only be 2,200; then again it may even be 3,500! What are a few centuries more or less in the life of a cypress?
Creator
Chase & Company
Source
Original 5 x 7 inch black and white photograph by Chase & Company: Chase Collection (MS 14), box 211, folder 3.30B, item 129, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Date Created
ca. 1900-1925
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 5 x 7 inch black and white photograph by Chase & Company.
Is Part Of
Chase Collection (MS 14), box 211, folder 3.30B, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Entire Chase Collection is comprised of four separate accessions from various donors, including Cecilia Johnson, the granddaughter of Joshua Coffin Chase and the children of Randall Chase.
Rights Holder
The displayed collection item is housed at Special and Area Studies Collections at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. Rights to this item belong to the said institution, and therefore inquiries about the item should be directed there. RICHES of Central Florida has obtained permission from Special and Area Studies Collections at the University of Florida to display this item for educational purposes only.
Central Florida Society for Historical Preservation. Longwood. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2001.
Transcript
2800 Years Old or So: To calculate the age of a cypress present many difficulties. Nature of habitat, health of tree and accidents caused by the elements, all influence the rate of growth and so the number of annual rings. In our studies of logs and plugs taken from the outer ten inches of both hollow and solid trees we found as low as fifteen years (15 growth rings) per inch, to as high as seventy years (70 growth rings) per inch. In general the rate of diameter growth of cypress, as compared with that of other trees, decreases with age. But there are sometimes also alternating periods of slow and rapid growth. It must be evident then that we cannot arrive at an average growth rate and apply it with prevision. It is difficult to determine accurately the age of an individual whose stubby, crippled top and hollow trunk on the one hand, record catastrophes, but whose immense diameter on the other, might suggest centuries and even millenia. Whether you want to parallel its birth with the Battle of Maraton (490 BC) or with the Glorious day of Egypt (1500-1300 BC) depends on your own conservatish or enthusiasm. Our estimate is 2,800 years. It may only be 2,200; then again it may even be 3,500! What are a few centuries more or less in the life of a cypress?
Ex President and Mrs. Calvin Coolidge at Dedication of Florida's Big Tree Postcard
Alternative Title
Calvin Coolidge at Big Tree Park Postcard
Subject
Longwood (Fla.)
Bald cypress
Coolidge, Calvin, 1872-1933
Presidents--United States
Ex-presidents--United States
Cypress
Description
Postcard showing the Senator, a cypress located at Seminole Big Tree Park. Big Tree Park lies off of U.S. 17-92, south of Sanford in a swampy, mainly undeveloped area. The park's focal points are two ancient and giant bald cypress trees. The largest is known as the Senator; the other is known as the Senator's Brother. The two trees are possibly named in honor of M. O. Overstreet, a Florida state senator who donated the surrounding land to Seminole County in 1951, although they had their current names as early as the 1920s. The trees were a popular tourist attraction from the 1880s onward. In 1929, former President Calvin Coolidge and his wife, who were frequent visitors to Mt. Dora, visited the trees and dedicated them with a bronze plaque. The plaque was stolen in 1945. Both trees are extremely old and their age is typically given at 3,500 years. The Senator was believed to be the largest bald cypress in Florida; however, questions have been raised concerning the definition of "largest." It appears today that the Senator reigns as the cypress with the largest volume, the total amount of wood above ground. The current measurements may make it the largest bald cypress in the United States. As of 2011, the tree's height has been measured around 118 feet tall. It has been said that prior to the 1928 hurricane, it stood as tall as 160 feet.
Source
Original 3.5 x 5.5 inch black and white postcard: Private Collection of Thomas Cook.
Date Created
ca. 1930
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1930
Date Issued
ca. 1930
Contributor
Cook, Thomas
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 3.5 x 5.5 black and white postcard.
Ex President and Mrs. Calivin Coolidge at dedication of Florida's "Big Tree" The Senator Cypress. Age 3500 years. Diameter 17 1/2. ft. Circumference 47 ft. Height 126 ft. On U. S. 17 and 92 between Sanford and Orlando, Florida
POST CARD
PLACE STAMP HERE
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
1 black and white postcard
Physical Dimensions
3.5 x 5.5 inch
]]>https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/1165Florida Grower on the Sanford State Farmers' Market in 1940. The article also discusses other features of Central Florida.
The Sanford State Farmers' Market, located at 1300 South French Avenue, was founded in 1934 in order to provide a central location in which farmers would sell their produce directly to consumers. The idea for the Sanford State Farmers' Market was devised by Fred Dorner and Gus Schmach, both members of the Seminole Agricultural Club. Sanford Chamber of Commerce president Harry M. Papworth also contributed to the development of the market. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) authorized construction plans on June 11, 1934. On June 20, 1934, the City of Sanford donated a portion of the Alex V. French properties to the State Marketing Board, which selected the northwest corner of French Avenue and Thirteenth Street. The board approved the installation of telegraph and telephone equipment, as well as a three-pump filling station. The Sanford State Farmer's Market opened on December 18, 1934. By 1939, the Farmers' Market was bringing a total volume of business of $627,065.81. In 1941, business volume reached over $700,000. On April 4, 1957, a fire destroyed the building and caused damages estimated at $2.5 million. Reconstruction began almost immediately and the Farmers' Market was expected to re-open by the fall of 1957. In 1991, plans were created to restore, preserve, and convert the citrus packing house into a museum.]]>2015-02-19T20:50:28+00:00
Dublin Core
Title
Celery Capital
Alternative Title
Celery Capital
Subject
Sanford (Fla.)
Farmers' markets--Florida
Seminole County (Fla.)
Longwood (Fla.)
Celery industry
Description
Newspaper article in the Florida Grower on the Sanford State Farmers' Market in 1940. The article also discusses other features of Central Florida.
The Sanford State Farmers' Market, located at 1300 South French Avenue, was founded in 1934 in order to provide a central location in which farmers would sell their produce directly to consumers. The idea for the Sanford State Farmers' Market was devised by Fred Dorner and Gus Schmach, both members of the Seminole Agricultural Club. Sanford Chamber of Commerce president Harry M. Papworth also contributed to the development of the market. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) authorized construction plans on June 11, 1934. On June 20, 1934, the City of Sanford donated a portion of the Alex V. French properties to the State Marketing Board, which selected the northwest corner of French Avenue and Thirteenth Street. The board approved the installation of telegraph and telephone equipment, as well as a three-pump filling station. The Sanford State Farmer's Market opened on December 18, 1934. By 1939, the Farmers' Market was bringing a total volume of business of $627,065.81. In 1941, business volume reached over $700,000. On April 4, 1957, a fire destroyed the building and caused damages estimated at $2.5 million. Reconstruction began almost immediately and the Farmers' Market was expected to re-open by the fall of 1957. In 1991, plans were created to restore, preserve, and convert the citrus packing house into a museum.
Seminole county is the cradle, so to speak, of the Florida State Farmers' Market system. The first of these markets operated in Florida was opened at Sanford with official dedication on December 18, 1934. Its successful operation in showing an increase of business every year since its opening is largely responsible for the network of farmers' markets wither already operating or now under construction throughout the state. This system is said to be the greatest advancement for the betterment of farmers and agricultural marketing during modern times. The Florida system is being studied and adapted to varying conditions by agricultural departments of many other states. And the Sanford market is almost constantly visited by officials and delegations interested in market developments in their own sections.
The Sanford market occupies 20 acres of land and has a shed 618 feet long. This shed is the concentration point for vegetable production not only from this bur several adjoining counties. Practically every county south of Seminole is represented on our market map as having sent produce by truck for marketing on the Sanford platform.
At this state owned and operated market approximate gross sales of Florida products for the fiscal year closing June 30, 1939 are reported as $534,473.93. Out of state products handled amounting to $92,591.88 brought total volume of business of the market for the year to $627,065.81. The Farmers' market did $166,000 business in March of this year, a real achievement considering the damage done to Florida crops by the freeze of last January. An active Market Master, employed to operate the Farmers' market is aided by a supervising committee of nine local men, who are appointed by the State Marketing board.
A number of wholesale concerns have located in Sanford because of its advantages as a distributing center with transportation by water available. Sanford is one of the few interior cities of Florida having both rail and water transportation. Freight service is operated on the St. Johns river by the St. Johns River lines, which maintain a daily schedule. The county is served by the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line rail-
Document Item Type Metadata
Original Format
1 newspaper article
]]>https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/1208
Big Tree Park is located at 761 General Hutchinson Parkway in Longwood, Florida. The park lies off of U.S. 17-92, south of Sanford in a swampy, mainly undeveloped area. The park's focal points are two ancient and giant bald cypress trees. The largest is known as the Senator; the other is known as the Senator's Brother. The two trees are possibly named in honor of M. O. Overstreet, a Florida state senator who donated the surrounding land to Seminole County in 1951, although they had their current names as early as the 1920s. The trees were a popular tourist attraction from the 1880s onward.
In 1929, former President Calvin Coolidge and his wife, who were frequent visitors to Mt. Dora, visited the trees and dedicated them with a bronze plaque. The plaque was stolen in 1945. Both trees are extremely old and their age is typically given at 3,500 years. The Senator was believed to be the largest bald cypress in Florida; however, questions have been raised concerning the definition of "largest." It appears today that the Senator reigns as the cypress with the largest volume, the total amount of wood above ground. The current measurements may make it the largest bald cypress in the United States. As of 2011, the tree's height has been measured around 118 feet tall. It has been said that prior to the 1928 hurricane, it stood as tall as 160 feet. The Senator was destroyed by fire on January 16, 2012.]]>2014-08-06T17:45:53+00:00
Dublin Core
Title
Lady Liberty Historic Marker
Alternative Title
Lady Liberty
Subject
Longwood (Fla.)
Seminole County (Fla.)
Bald cypress
Description
The historic marker for Lady Liberty at Seminole Big Tree Park in 2006. The "companion tree" for The Senator. Lady Liberty is 89 feet high, 10 feet in diameter, and approximately 2,000 years old.
Big Tree Park is located at 761 General Hutchinson Parkway in Longwood, Florida. The park lies off of U.S. 17-92, south of Sanford in a swampy, mainly undeveloped area. The park's focal points are two ancient and giant bald cypress trees. The largest is known as the Senator; the other is known as the Senator's Brother. The two trees are possibly named in honor of M. O. Overstreet, a Florida state senator who donated the surrounding land to Seminole County in 1951, although they had their current names as early as the 1920s. The trees were a popular tourist attraction from the 1880s onward.
In 1929, former President Calvin Coolidge and his wife, who were frequent visitors to Mt. Dora, visited the trees and dedicated them with a bronze plaque. The plaque was stolen in 1945. Both trees are extremely old and their age is typically given at 3,500 years. The Senator was believed to be the largest bald cypress in Florida; however, questions have been raised concerning the definition of "largest." It appears today that the Senator reigns as the cypress with the largest volume, the total amount of wood above ground. The current measurements may make it the largest bald cypress in the United States. As of 2011, the tree's height has been measured around 118 feet tall. It has been said that prior to the 1928 hurricane, it stood as tall as 160 feet. The Senator was destroyed by fire on January 16, 2012.
Creator
Cook, Thomas
Source
Original color digital image by Thomas Cook, May 18, 2006.
SEMINOLE COUNTY HISTORIC MARKER
LADY LIBERTY
Estimated Age & Dimensions
Age: 2,000 years
Diameter: 10 ft.
Circumference: 389 in.
Height: 89ft.
Located 40 feet from The Senator, Lady Liberty is often referred to as the Companion tree or the Sister tree. Named by students from the Geneva Elementary School in 2005, Lady Liberty stands tall as a symbol of our patriotism.
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
1 color digital image
]]>https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/5057 As early as the late 1800s, this centuries-old tree was considered a tourist attraction, but it wasn't until 1927 that a park was established around the tree. Senator Moses O. Overstreet donated six acres of land, which included the tree, to Seminole County to establish a park with the stipulation that a road would be built to take visitors into the park. The generosity of Sen. Overstreet inspired residents to name the giant cypress tree "The Senator."
Located at 761 General Hutchinson Parkway in present-day Longwood, Florida, the new park was named the Seminole Big Tree Park in honor of the main attraction. In 1929, President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) dedicated a bronze plaque at the site of the tree. The plaque was stolen in 1945, which would place this photograph sometime between 1940 and 1945. Based on a core sample taken by the American Forestry Association, The Senator was estimated to be 3500 years old in 1946. The Big Tree Park also features another giant cypress estimated to be 2000 years old. In 2005, local elementary students named the tree Lady Liberty. It was considered to be the companion tree to The Senator, as they were only 40 feet apart. The Senator continued to be a tourist attraction and local landmark until January 16, 2012, when it was lost in a fire.]]>2016-11-27T22:14:12+00:00
Dublin Core
Title
Big Tree Park, the Oldest and Largest Cypress Tree in U.S.A. Postcard
Alternative Title
Big Tree Park Postcard
Subject
Longwood (Fla.)
Parks--Florida
Description
A photographic postcard featuring The Senator, the giant bald cypress tree that was once the oldest and largest cypress tree in the country. At the time that the photograph was taken, The Senator was 3,500 yers old, 126 feet and 3 inches tall, and 47 feet in circumference.
As early as the late 1800s, this centuries-old tree was considered a tourist attraction, but it wasn't until 1927 that a park was established around the tree. Senator Moses O. Overstreet donated six acres of land, which included the tree, to Seminole County to establish a park with the stipulation that a road would be built to take visitors into the park. The generosity of Sen. Overstreet inspired residents to name the giant cypress tree "The Senator."
Located at 761 General Hutchinson Parkway in present-day Longwood, Florida, the new park was named the Seminole Big Tree Park in honor of the main attraction. In 1929, President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) dedicated a bronze plaque at the site of the tree. The plaque was stolen in 1945, which would place this photograph sometime between 1940 and 1945. Based on a core sample taken by the American Forestry Association, The Senator was estimated to be 3500 years old in 1946. The Big Tree Park also features another giant cypress estimated to be 2000 years old. In 2005, local elementary students named the tree Lady Liberty. It was considered to be the companion tree to The Senator, as they were only 40 feet apart. The Senator continued to be a tourist attraction and local landmark until January 16, 2012, when it was lost in a fire.
Abstract
Postcard image of the Big Tree in Sanford. Image depicts the tree with a plaque on the front, surrounded by a fence. Two men, a woman, and a young child can be seen in front of the tree, looking up at it. The caption on the front of the postcard reads, "Big Tree Park. The Oldest and Largest Cypress Tree in U. S. A. 126 ft. 3 in. High. 47 ft. in circumference. 3500 Years Old. Sanford, Seminole County, Florida."
Source
Original 14 x 9 centimeter black and white photographic postcard: "Big Tree Park." Special Collections & University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Date Created
ca. 1940-1945
Date Copyrighted
2011
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original 14 x 9 centimeter black and white photographic postcard: "Big Tree Park." Tag number DP0008223, Central Florida Memory.
Is Format Of
Original 14 x 9 centimeter black and white photographic postcard: "Big Tree Park."
Central Florida Society for Historical Preservation. Longwood. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2001.
Transcript
[illegible]
BIG TREE PARK. THE OLDEST AND LARGEST CYPRESS TREE IN U.S.A. 126 FT. 3 IN. HIGH. 47 FT. IN CIRCUMFERENCE. 3500 YEARS OLD. SANFORD, SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA.