Everglades Stamp Introduced In Florida City On December 6, 1947

  On Thursday December 4 the new EvergladesNational Park silver quarter was introduced at an impressive ceremony hosted by the City of Homestead at the City’s Harris Field. The quarter is one of twenty in the National Park series. 

  A new three-cent postage stamp was introduced by the U.S. Postal system on December 6, 1947 in Florida City at a ceremony held in front of Town Hall, one day before the park was dedicated by President Harry S. Truman at Everglades City. The first notice of the introduction of the new stamp was given in an October 24, 1947 edition of one of the predecessors of the South Dade News Leader.   

  On November 7th this was confirmed when a first-day cover service firm booked rooms at the Seminole Hotel. The firm prepared for sale specially designed envelopes bearing commemorative stamps to be cancelled by the Florida City Post Office. The FloridaPioneerMuseum has a collection of thirty-seven different versions of these envelopes with colorful cachets. They are on display at the Museum in celebration of FloridaCity’s 100th anniversary.   In 1947 FloridaCity had a population of 1,006. Herbert Hunter was mayor and proud to announce that the city was debt free as the town prepared for the biggest day in its history. 

  The celebration was an area wide event. The Woman’s Club of Homestead hosted a reception in the First Presbyterian Sunday school building for guests visiting from out of town. 

  An official motorcade of state and national dignitaries preceded by a police escort moved down Flagler Avenue in Homestead and South Krome to Florida City for the ceremonies which began promptly at 9:30 am from the speakers’ platform which had been erected on the grounds of the Florida City Town Hall, facing toward the post office, a block to the east on Palm Drive. Huge banners 5x30’ reading “Welcome to Homestead, Headquarters of the EvergladesNational Park” had been erected by the Arrant-Smith V.F.W. Post 4027 at the Homestead light plant and at the Homestead-FloridaCity line on the Overseas Highway. Seventy-two new American flags were also placed along the route by the VFW Post. 

  Dan L. Meeker, President of the Redland District Chamber of Commerce was the master of ceremonies. The Homestead High School Band played selections to begin the program and the Star Spangled Banner to conclude the program. Rev. Father Paul Manning of SacredHeartChurch gave the invocation and Rev. Robert B. Chapman, Jr. of Florida City Community Church gave the benediction. Mayor Herbert Hunter of Florida gave the welcome. Thomas J. Allen, Regional Director, National Park Service gave remarks as did Florida Governor Millard F. Caldwell. Miami Florida Postmaster High P. Emerson introduced the Postmaster General who gave the address.  

  Commemorative stamp albums were presented by the Third Assistant Postmaster Joseph J. Lawler to Governor Millard Caldwell, Senator Claude Pepper, Senator Spessard L. Holland and Mr. Paul R. Scott, Mr. Will N. Preston, and Mr. John D. Pennekamp. The Response was given by Paul R. Scott an attorney who engineered the issuance of the stamp. From FloridaCity joining the dignitaries on the platform were: Mr. and Mrs. Scott Caves, Mr. and Mrs. W.F.A. Robinson, Mose Sever, Mrs. Mabelle Rue, Mrs Edward Stiling, Miss Annie Lochrie, Dr. S.S. Shields, T.J. Mead and J.H. Simmons, the oldest residents of the town.  J.H. Simmons and Dr. S.S. Shields were elected to the first commission in 1914. Dr. Shields’ wife suggested the name “FloridaCity.” Mrs. Stiling was the widow of the designer of the street layout for FloridaCity and its primary land salesman and later commissioner and two time mayor. 

  The Florida City Post Office sales of the EvergladesNational Park stamp totaled $802,500 on Dec. 5, breaking all records for national parks stamps issued. Florida City Postmaster Mrs. Anna B. Chapman was responsible for canceling 466,647 covers bearing the new 3-cent stamp. The envelopes were stored in agricultural field crates. 

  Perhaps Florida City has not had a day since to compare with December 5, 1947 and the celebration of the issuance of the 3-cent Everglades National Park stamp. 

  Bob Jensen is Vice-President for Community Liaison at 1st National Bank of South Florida, President of the Florida Pioneer Museum, and a retired Navy Commander.