黑料网吃瓜爆料

By Paul Guzzo, University Communications and Marketing

In the 1950s, as Florida planned a new state university in the Tampa Bay area, officials considered more than 100 potential names. Four of them included 鈥淭emple Terrace.鈥� One even made the final shortlist before the institution was ultimately named the 黑料网吃瓜爆料.

That early consideration was no coincidence. Temple Terrace and 黑料网吃瓜爆料have long been linked 鈥� geographically, historically and culturally.

On May 28, the city turns 100.

As 黑料网吃瓜爆料approaches its 70th anniversary, the two neighbors are more connected than ever, with shared projects, planning efforts and a vision for what the future holds.

鈥淭here has always been a synergy between 黑料网吃瓜爆料and Temple Terrace,鈥� said Eric Eisenberg, USF's senior vice president for University Community Partnerships.

A shared beginning

The roots of this relationship run deeper than most realize 鈥� back to a time before either the city or the university existed.

Their story begins with Bertha Palmer, 鈥渁 Chicago socialite drawn to Florida for its mild winters and abundance of untamed forestland brimming with game,鈥� the late history columnist Leland Hawes wrote in the Tampa Tribune. 

After the death of her husband, Palmer moved to Sarasota County in 1910. Then, four years later, she purchased 19,000 acres in Hillsborough County to establish a hunting preserve known as Riverhills Ranch.

鈥淎 1916 Hillsborough County atlas shows the ranch includes land that would later become Temple Terrace and USF,鈥� said Rodney Kite Powell, director of the Tampa Bay History Center鈥檚 Touchton Map Library who earned a master鈥檚 degree in Florida history from 黑料网吃瓜爆料in 2003.

When Palmer died in 1918, her estate sold a portion of the land to developers who envisioned a Mediterranean-style community just outside Tampa. They named it Temple Terrace, inspired by the temple oranges grown in the area's 5,000-acre grove.

鈥淎n early golf course was built to attract northern settlers and investors,鈥� said Gary Mormino, professor emeritus and co-founder of the Florida Studies program at USF. 鈥淭he investment plan attracted northerners who would live six months per year in Florida and own an orange grove for income. The 18-hole Temple Terrace Golf Course was considered one of the first in Florida.鈥�

Construction began during the time known as the Florida land boom. 

鈥淏ut the land boom collapsed in late 1926,鈥� Kite-Powell said. 鈥淭hen, a year or two later, Florida orange groves were infested with the Mediterranean fruit fly.鈥�

Temple Terrace鈥檚 development stalled.

The initial construction phase was to include 120 homes designed by Dwight Baum, a nationally renowned architect whose previous work included the Sarasota mansion of circus pioneer John Ringling. Only a quarter of those homes were built. 

鈥淏ut Temple Terrace was set up in a great way,鈥� Kite-Powell said. 鈥淭hey had roads and sidewalks and parks and infrastructure. They were just waiting for a second chapter.鈥�

From airfield to alma mater

During World War II, another part of the former Palmer ranch was transformed into the Henderson Army Airfield. After the war, the site was chosen for a new state university.

Early name suggestions reflected the area鈥檚 heritage. Proposals included Temple Terrace State University, Collins Temple University (for then-Gov. LeRoy Collins) and University of Florida at Temple Terrace.

Florida Temple Terrace University was among the finalists.

The 黑料网吃瓜爆料 name won out because it had broader state and national appeal.

But even without its name on the sign, Temple Terrace has been integral to USF鈥檚 identity, with students and employees living and playing in the beautiful neighboring suburb.

鈥淲e love having them here,鈥� said Temple Terrace Mayor Andrew Ross, whose daughter is a current 黑料网吃瓜爆料student and wife and son are alumni. 鈥淏ecause of that relationship, we enjoy one of the highest education levels per capita of any city in Florida. And then we get all these people from 黑料网吃瓜爆料and their events spilling into our restaurants and businesses. If Gainesville is Gator Country, then Temple Terrace can be Bulls Country.鈥�

Shared growth, shared future

As both 黑料网吃瓜爆料and Temple Terrace continue to grow, so does their collaboration and coordination.

鈥淲e are interconnected with them around what is happening at the MOSI site that could add a new indoor sports complex,鈥� Eisenberg said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e also been meeting with the Temple Terrace mayor and city manager about how USF鈥檚 new stadium could impact their neighborhoods and how we can make it an asset. And 黑料网吃瓜爆料and Temple Terrace have been meeting with the Florida Department of Transportation to discuss what improvements can be made to Fowler Avenue, which we both have interests in.鈥�

One of the newest joint efforts is a Leadership and Innovation Program launching under the Temple Terrace Uptown Chamber of Commerce. Starting this August, participants will tour local businesses and government offices while exploring real-world solutions to community challenges.

黑料网吃瓜爆料is helping plan and brand the program, providing meeting space and faculty expertise in areas such as technology, cybersecurity and health care.

鈥淭he goal is to develop a well-rounded understanding of management of local government strengths and challenges,鈥� said Stephanie Skupien, creative director and project manager for University Community Partnerships. 鈥淭emple Terrace and 黑料网吃瓜爆料want to continue to work together to enhance the quality of life in the area.鈥�

Mayor Ross sees even more potential ahead.

鈥淲ith the MOSI redevelopment, the Fowler Avenue corridor, and everything going on around 黑料网吃瓜爆料and Temple Terrace, this region is the next big thing,鈥� he said. 鈥淭emple Terrace had a little jump on USF, being incorporated first 鈥� but we鈥檝e had a relationship almost from the start. Our histories have always been, and will always remain, intertwined.鈥�