Palm City’s First Homesteader, Alligator Smith
“And the Palm Tree Nodded to the Mirror in the Jungle.” Ormond, Florida. Stereoscope c. late 1800s, Thurlow collection.
Over the past year, I have been doing something wonderful. I have been working on a book about Palm City, Florida, with my mother, Sandra Henderson Thurlow to be entitled A Pictorial History of Palm City. We are having it proofed and edited now; it will be published sometime in late 2024. In the meanwhile, I am going to share some tidbits.
Have you ever wondered who was the first modern character of Palm City? He was a trapper. An alligator hunter who more than likely, over time, killed thousands of alligators selling their teeth of fine ivory to make jewelry. The trapper’s name? Of course, Alligator Smith!
Apparently, Alligator Smith was very well liked and fraternized with the likes of now famous names of our area such as Bessey, Stypmann and Krueger. However, my mother and I had different feelings towards Alligator Smith. I was really not fond of him and felt like “he got what he had coming to him,” when he died on July 4th, 1891 in a state of intoxication, falling off his boat, Magic, and drowning in the St. Luice River off of Sewall’s Point.
Mom saw him as a suvivalist. My thoughts? Perhaps after killing so many alligators on a river once named “Halpatiokee” which means “alligator waters” in a native tongue,“ the spirit of the river may have decided to take Alligator Smith home.
His real name was “William Smith” and he was working to obtain his homestead from the federal government at today’s Pendarvis Cove. As you’ll learn in the next post, “his lands” inadvertently seeded the creation of “Palm City.”
Now you are going to make me go look at the hundred or so stereoscope pictures I have to see if Florida is in any of them.
Newton I can’t wait to see you and hear all about your stereoscope collection! They really are wonderful!
neat Jacquie and interesting….
Your’e the best Uncle Dale!
Always love reading your stuff ,(Rebecca Fatzinger)..someone messed with my Facebook so now I use my hubby’s Facebook..but lost some friends..you included!..miss your posts!
Great to get your message Rebecca! Thank you so much and I hope all the wonderful critters, land and air, surrounding your yard are well. I think I even once remember you saying there was a crocodile!
Thanks for putting the alligator article out. I love any of this stuff. I was assigned to the palm city station for 2 years and learned so much during that time, late 90 to 92 from the “old natives” there. Love all of the history. Thanks again and am still trying to find the pic with Gov. Bob at his beach dedication, as my wife, God bless her went through my albums and I cannot find anything
Thanks again. Scott Potter.
Dear Scott, love hearing about your 2 years in Palm City and tales from the old natives! I know that feeling of searching for a photo that just can’t be found. I will keep my finger crossed that one day it “just turns up!” Seems like that always happens to me.