Bealsville, originally named Howell's Creek, is an unincorporated community in southeastern Hillsborough County, Florida, United States, between Plant City and Lithia near the intersection of Horton Road and Florida State Road 60.

Bealsville
Bealsville is located in Florida
Bealsville
Bealsville
Location within the state of Florida
Coordinates: 27°56′44″N 82°04′46″W / 27.94556°N 82.07944°W / 27.94556; -82.07944
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountyHillsborough
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Website[1]

History

edit

Bealsville was founded after the civil war by freed slaves from surrounding communities including Knights, Plant City, Hopewell, and others. The 1866 Southern Homestead Act provided a means for freed slaves to obtain tracts of property ranging from 40 to 160 acres. To retain title, the new owners had to develop homes, clear land, and demonstrate that they possessed the equipment to farm it.[1][2]

Education

edit

The community of Bealsville is served by Hillsborough County Schools.

References

edit
  1. ^ "HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HISTORIC RESOURCES SURVEY REPORT" (PDF). October 1998. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  2. ^ "Amid change, historic black community unveils marker". May 16, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2015.