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Of course. Bealsville is one of the most historically profound and significant communities in the entire state of Florida. From my location in the modern suburbs of Citrus Park, discussing Bealsville requires a shift in perspective—away from the stories of developers and railroads, and toward a powerful narrative of freedom, faith, and resilience. It is a place whose legacy is immeasurable.

Zip Codes: 33567

Latitude, Longitude: 27.9456° N, 82.0795° W

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A Legacy of Freedom and Farmland legacy

The story of Bealsville begins at the very dawn of emancipation. In 1865, immediately following the end of the Civil War, a group of twelve freed slaves from the nearby Hopewell Plantation embarked on an audacious and historic endeavor: to own the land they had once been forced to work.

Led by a man named Alfred Beal, these families—including the Washingtons, O’Neals, and Glovers—pooled what little resources they had and purchased 160 acres of land. This act of land ownership by formerly enslaved people, just months after the war’s end, was an extraordinary achievement and the foundation upon which the entire community was built.

The community was named in honor of Alfred’s son, Mills Beal, who became a revered community leader and the first pastor of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. This church, along with the Glover School, became the two unshakable pillars of the community. The Glover School, partially funded by the Julius Rosenwald Fund to support the education of African American children in the rural South, was the center of intellectual and social life for generations. Bealsville was built on the bedrock principles of faith, family, education, and farming, creating a self-sufficient and tight-knit society.

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A Historic Community in a Modern World 🌍

Today, Bealsville remains a small, semi-rural community nestled in the agricultural landscape of eastern Hillsborough County, just south of Plant City. It is crucial to understand that Bealsville is not an incorporated city or even a Census-Designated Place. It is a historic, unincorporated community whose identity is fiercely protected by the descendants of its founding families, many of whom still live there today.

The sense of history in Bealsville is palpable. It’s a place where family names on the street signs and mailboxes are the same as those on the original land deeds. In recent years, there has been a tremendous effort by the community to preserve its precious heritage. The Bealsville-Glover Association has worked tirelessly to restore the historic Glover School, transforming it into a museum and community center to ensure its story is never forgotten. Bealsville is more than a place on a map; it’s a living monument to the courage of its founders.

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Bealsville by the Numbers 📊

Because Bealsville is not an official census area, precise demographic data is not collected. However, its character and makeup are well-established.

• Official Designation: Historic Unincorporated Community
• County: Hillsborough
• Founded: 1865
• Named For: Mills Beal, son of founder Alfred Beal and an early pastor and community leader.
• Population: A small, close-knit community estimated to consist of a few hundred families.
• Demographic Character: Bealsville is, and always has been, a predominantly African American community. Many of its residents can trace their lineage directly back to the twelve founding families.

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Landmarks and Nearby Institutions 🏛️

The important places in and around Bealsville are those that speak to its history, its faith, and its connection to the surrounding region.

Hillsborough Community College – Plant City Campus: As the primary institution for higher education and vocational training in eastern Hillsborough County, the HCC campus serves as a critical resource for empowering the next generation of Bealsville residents.

The Historic Glover School Campus: The most important landmark in Bealsville. This former Rosenwald school is the heart of the community’s preservation efforts and serves as a museum and event space dedicated to sharing the incredible history of the town’s founding.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church: The spiritual cornerstone of Bealsville since its inception. The church has been a center for faith, community organizing, and social life for more than 150 years.

Plant City Photo Archives & History Center: A vital institution located in nearby Plant City that works to preserve the history of the entire region, including the invaluable stories and historical records of Bealsville’s founding and development.

Florida Strawberry Festival: For generations, the economy of Bealsville was tied to the land and the strawberry fields that surround it. The annual festival in nearby Plant City is a major cultural event that has been a part of the lives of Bealsville families for decades.