Terra Ceia, Florida Explained

Official Name:Terra Ceia, Florida
Mapsize:250x200px
Pushpin Label:Terra Ceia
Pushpin Map:USA Florida Manatee County
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population As Of:2010
Population Density Km2:auto
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Coordinates:27.5792°N -82.5806°W[1]
Elevation Ft:3
Postal Code:34250
Blank Info:12-71550[2]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:292127[3]

Terra Ceia is an unincorporated community in Manatee County, Florida, United States that includes the 1932acres Terra Ceia Preserve.[4] It is located on Terra Ceia Island near the Southern shore of Tampa Bay near the intersection of US 19 and I-275, at the southern end of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It is surrounded by Tampa Bay to the north and west, Rubonia to the east, and Terra Ceia Bay to the south.

Geography

The community is part of the Bradenton - Sarasota - Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 1932acres Terra Ceia Preserve is also located in the area and protected by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. It offers fishing and hiking.[5]

History

Early Inhabitants and Origins of Name

The first known inhabitants of Terra Ceia were the Timucuan Indians. These people lived quietly on the western shore of Terra Ceia. Proof of their existence can be seen in the shell mounds that dot the area. In 1539, Hernando De Soto and his men established a camp at the Indian mounds of Terra Ceia and rested there for six weeks before continuing their exploration of the southeastern United States.[6]

By the late 1700s, Terra Ceia became a temporary home to Cuban and Spanish fishermen who set up temporary camps and homes during their seasonal fishing expeditions. Records show that Spanish cartographers labeled the island Terra Ceia. One version of the origin story of the name says that this meant ‘Land of Rosia,’ a reference to Ranchero de Rosie, a Cuban fishing rancho located there at the time. Cuban fishermen utilized the ranchero to meet with native people for trading and to catch and prepare fish for shipment to Cuba. An alternative name explanation in the 1930s is that Terra Ceia is a misinterpretation of ‘terra cielo’ meaning heavenly land.[7] A subsequent 1970 explanation stated that Terra Ceia is a possible misspelling of ‘terra ceja’ which would translate to ‘land’s summit.’[8]

19th Century Settlers

In 1843, Joseph and Julia Atzeroth became the first permanent settlers on the island. Originally from Bavaria, Germany, the Atzeroth family came to Terra Ceia seeking a warm, southern climate that would improve Julia's liver disease. The Atzeroths built a small cabin on the north shore of Terra Ceia Bay and applied for 160 acres of land under the federal government's Armed Occupation Act of 1842.[9] [10] Other families began homesteading on Terra Ceia shortly after. A post office would open in Terra Ceia on February 11, 1891.[11] By 1897, 127 households resided in Terra Ceia, most of them growing citrus, vegetables (celery in particular) and flowers.[12]

20th Century

During World War I 45 residents of the town would serve in the military. Of those who served: 23 were in the Army, 17 in the Navy, 3 in the Coast Guard and two in other branches.[13] One resident would notably serve as an early aviator in the US military.[14]

Interwar Era

In 1926, a storm surge washed over the island and made it hard to grow crops there. The Seaboard Airline railroad soon no longer provided service and the rail line and the depot was abandoned. The Great Depression caused the Bank of Terra Ceia to fail in 1931. The former bank building currently houses a post office, which has been operating since 1891.[15] [16] [17] [18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2011. February 12, 2011.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. June 18, 2018.
  3. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. June 18, 2018. United States Geological Survey.
  4. http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/terraceia.html Terra Ceia State Park
  5. http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/terra_ceia_preserve_frog_creek.html Terra Ceia Preserve - Frog Creek
  6. Web site: Sunday Favorites: The History of Terra Ceia Island. thebradentontimes.com. 2020-05-13.
  7. Web site: Sunday Favorites: The History of Terra Ceia Island, Part 2. thebradentontimes.com. 2020-05-13.
  8. Web site: The True Meaning of Palma Ceia.
  9. Web site: The history of Terra Ceia. 2020-05-13. Terra Ceia Village Improvement Association.
  10. Book: Upham . Samuel C. . Notes from Sunland, on the Manatee River, Gulf coast of South Florida: its climate, soil and productions : land of the orange and guava, the pine-apple, date and cassava. . 1881 . E. Claxton & Company . Philadelphia, PA . 18–21 . 10 January 2023.
  11. Book: McInnis, M. T.. Speech by M.T. McInnis "Forgotten Communities of Manatee County". 1967. 16.
  12. Web site: Sunday Favorites: The History of Terra Ceia Island Part 3. thebradentontimes.com. 2020-05-13.
  13. Web site: WW1 Service Cards. 2020-07-16. Florida Memory: State Library and Archives of Florida.
  14. Web site: November 22, 1919. Percy B Armstrong. 2020-07-15. Florida Memory: State Library and Archives of Florida.
  15. Web site: Manatee History Matters: Terra Ceia island was Heavenly Land for produce. June 30, 2016.
  16. Web site: FPHSonline.com. www.fphsonline.com. June 30, 2016.
  17. Web site: Sunday Favorites: The History of Terra Ceia Island, Part 2. thebradentontimes.com. 2019-03-18.
  18. Web site: Sunday Favorites: The History of Terra Ceia Island Part 3. thebradentontimes.com. 2019-03-18.