In the1920s the fi elds were used by a
company called Fancee Farms for growing
celery crops. Around that time Palmer
Interests engaged Arcadia engineer J.A.
Kimmel to make topographical maps and
a drainage plan for the entire 8,000-acre
area. The site was organized as the Sarasota
Fruitville Drainage District in 1921. The fi rm of
Cravens and Kimmel prepared contour maps
for drainage, which made development in the
Phillippi Creek watershed possible.
Offi cial construction of the Celery Fields
began in 1923, and the main canals were
fi nished by 1926. An experimental farm of
2,000 acres was set up under the direction of
County Agent E.L. Ayres. Although different
vegetables were experimentally grown, by
1927 they decided to predominantly grow
celery. Prior to that time the site was a rich
muck land known as “Big Camp Saw Grass”
and “Tatum Saw Grass.” The muck (peat)
occupied the lowest 2,000 acres of the park
and was surrounded by a higher dark loam
area, and an even higher sandy area.
The depth of the muck varied from a few
inches to eight feet and was composed of
66 to 73 percent organic material. Below the
muck layer was sand, which varied inversely
with the depth of the muck. A clay or marl
layer lay about four feet deeper still. Roads
were constructed and built across the area.
Since the muck was constituted in great
part by acid, lime was added – 1.5 to 2 tons
of ground limestone and 1 to 1.5 tons of
hydrated lime per acre. Unit ditches served
10-acre tracts. Artesian wells served two 10-
acre tracts from each well. At fi rst, just a spring
celery crop was harvested. Later both spring
and fall crops were grown.