Site of Alderman's Ford-First Crossing Point of the Alafia River in This Vicinity - Florida Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

In 1848, James Alderman settled near this site, a densely forested area, and cut down the steep banks of the Alafia River to make it easier for horses and wagons to ford it. The area became known as Alderman's Ford.
As the land to the south of the river became more settled and crossings increased, the area around the ford grew in popularity for meetings and socializing. Picnics were common here as early as 1888. In 1902 the site became the scene of political rallies. In an era before the growth of mass communications, many political careers were launched at the ford. For more than half a century the Democratic Party of Hillsborough County kicked off its campaigns by popping political fireworks at the park.

Marker Number: None Date: None County: Hillsborough Marker Type: Roadside Sponsored or placed by: The Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department with the cooperation of the Hillsborough County Historical Commission Website: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/13/2017 Markerman62 visited it

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