I do not remember when I found this article. This article reads as follows [transcript under clipping.]
Florida Station, a pretty energetic community located north and slightly west of Anderson in Lafayette Township, has now a population that lists the names of approximately 200 persons. It much be noted that population figures here have not gone up and down during the past few years, but have shown the tendency toward growth.
This community, which comes to its 100th birthday anniversary next year, was originally call Clark's Station, according the authoritative volume written on Madison County by John L. Forkner and Byron H. Dyson. Any historical sketch written on this thriving community necessarily deals closely with Lafayette Township.
The history book says, "This community is situated six miles northwest of Anderson on the P.C.C. & St. L. Railway, and is within a few rods of the center of Madison County."
The railroad now passing through, from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Chicago, Ill., is the Pennsylvania Railroad. The community received its first name in 1856, in honor of Thomas G. Clark, on whose land it was located. The first merchant there was Henry Hendrick and the first postmaster in the community was George Craighead. There is no postoffice there now, with all mail service now coming through the facilities of the Anderson Postoffice.
At the time of its start, Florida Station boasted the only Methodist Church in the township. At present, the Methodist Church, which stands at the intersection of county roads 375 N and 200 W, has the Reb. Wilmer McMahan as its very popular and busy pastor.
While Florida Station no longer has a tile manufacturing plant as it did in the 70s and 80s, everyone around either farms or is employed steadily in Anderson plants. Some families manage to work in the plants and do a moderate amount of farming.
The general store, shown on this page in an interior view, is owned and operated by William and Ruby Pettigrew. They have continued the policy of former owners, in making their store a meeting place where news of the day is exchanged and where problems relative to the community's welfare are discussed each day.
Nothing is left to chance when it comes in safety.
The historical data on this community shows that the railroad which passes through Florida Station was once surveyed as the Logansport to New Castle State Coad. The right-of-way, historical writers say, was donated by the state assembly to the railroad, with the stipulation that a good wagon road be constructed alongside the railroad. This stipulation was evidently ignored.
The little red school house that used to be consistant with all rural communities is no longer around. The Three Rs of education, plus the multitude of other topics taught nowadays, are presented Florida Station youngsters at Leach School, located west of the community. It is a modern, sunny and roomy building that sprawls over a large amount of ground. Several acres of play space surround the school where G.I. Dissette is principal. Verle Brown, the current Lafayette Township trustee taught school in the Florida Station Community for approximately twenty years and is very aware of the needs and wishes of the folks around the area regarding education of their children.
Regarding the township's part in affairs of this community, things began to hum soon after, in 1856, the railroad completed a grain warehouse approximately a mile and a half northwest of Florida Station's present site. This section of the warehouse, was known then as "Keller"s Station." Efforts to enlarge a community there failed...largely due to the hold Florida Station {then Clark's Station} had on the area trade. In obtaining data on names... no one seemed to have a definite idea of just how Florida Station's present name was selected ... or why. Like Topsy, some say, the idea just grew.
Residents here concern themselves less with that small print than they do with just how they can keep their community among the the one's ready in meet the very noticable tendancy of workers to find a home with a place for the children to play. This desire to expand has been made possible by the fact that transportation no longer is a problem.
The area here has made many long strides since 1834, the year the township to John and Sarah Croan. It has been 125 years since the first marriage in the township.
Of interest is the creation of the first religious society in Lafayette Township. It really happened in Florida Station, or in the area that would soon become Florida Station. The members were five in number and included James Hollingsworth and his wife, William Lower and his wife and Mrs. George Mustard. In the fall of 1836 this group organized themselves into a class that kept growing until in 1855, the membership built themselves a church. Pioneer Methodist ministers in this area were the Revs. D.F. Strite, John Leach, J.W. Bradshaw, Barton Bradbury and John T. Tansey.
All in all, it may be written with considerable assurance, that Florida Station cannot be considered among communities listed in the passing, American scene... but will continue to be a spot of high individuality and growth. {Photos by Herb Johnson Herald Photographer}
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Youngsters of Florida Station, together with other students of the area, attend the roomy, well-appointed Leach School, where G. L. Dissette is principal. The photo was taken during the final days of the school year at Leach.
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