Bealsville, Incorporated

Bealsville, Incorporated

Welcome to Bealsville

Welcome to Bealsville, a small community located in Eastern Hillsborough County, Plant City, Florida. This community was founded by former slaves freed from surrounding plantations that existed in the Plant City area. Bealsville is most notable by it's historic school campus named Glover School.

How was Bealsville founded

At the close of the Civil War, freed slaves in the South were overwhelmed with possibilities. This area was no exception. One dozen former slaves left plantations in Springhead, Hopewell, Knights, and other surrounding communities, dreaming of merging their talents together in order to shape a brand new place they could call their own. We now know that place as Bealsville.

Seven miles south of Plant City, around the present intersection of Horton Road and State road 60, Bealsville was originally named Howell’s Creek on December 24, 1865. The site was selected by three men and one woman; Bryant Horton, Peter Dexter, Roger Smith and Mary Reddick. After deciding on the location, eleven men and one woman let their families toward a future they believed would be bright and centered around religion, education and farming.

The first church founded was the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Begun with the congregation sitting on logs in a cleared our area, it eventually moved into a palmetto-covered lean-to until around 1900, when a full wooden structure was built. In the late 1920’s the church was moved to its present location on Horton Rd.

The children of those original pioneers were taught to give their all to their community. Mary Reddick gave to two sons by two different fathers; Alfred’s father was a white man with the last name of Beal, and William’s father was a black man with the last name of Glover. The half brothers became incredibly influential men in the community. Alfred Beal was a very wise investor who bought the land from blacks when they were unable to carry the cost of maintaining it. He would hold their land for them until they were able to regain financial control, and then he would sell it back. Thus, in 1923, the community y itself was named Bealsville in his honor. William Glover contributed land and money for the original log cabin school, which is why the present building still holds the name Glover School.

Historic Glover School

The first public school of this area was established about the year of 1873 with Mr. Joe Matthias serving as teacher.” The school obtained its name from the Late William Glover who was instrumental in the establishment of the first public school in this area. In the year 1931, the citizens of the immediate area, lead by their three local trustees, W.B. Glover, Sam Horton and W.O. Beal launched a financial drive to assist the county in building a much needed school building. From this drive eleven hundred dollars and ten acres of land was turned over to the County School board to be used towards the construction a three room wooden building.

As a result of consolidation in 1945, a three room block building was constructed, by the county and pupils from Keysville, Hopewell, Coronet and Trapnell were transported to the Glover Center. In 1949, another four rooms were built to provide for educational growth. Homemaking, agriculture, physical education and Industrial Art were added. The PTA and the community general cooperated in constructing a cement play court and the erection of lights. The entire community enjoyed and participated in the 11th and 12th month’s programs. Community canning was encouraged a small Canning Building was erected where vegetables could be canned.

Desegregation of school in Hillsborough County brought drastic changes for the Glover School. For about six years it was a Six Grade Center, and then in 1980, it was closed permanently. After much deliberation Bealsville Incorporated was organized in 1981, and the school Board returned the ten acres of land and the buildings to the corporation.

Through the dedication and vision of the officers and Board of Directors of Bealsville Inc., the School obtained National Landmark status as well non-profit status under 501©3. Community Development Block Grant funding from Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and resident donations have enabled the organization to restore the school to its original appearance and is used as a community center.

Email us
wsolutions@tampabay.rr.com

Partners and Supporters

Hillsborough County
Improvement League of Plant City

About our association

How to get to Bealsville

Bealsville is located in Unincorporated Hillsborough County outside of the city limits of Plant City. The boundaries are State Road 60 to the south, County Line Road to the east, Smith Ryals Road to the west and Jap Tucker Road to the north. The simpliest way to get to Bealsville is to take State Road 60 (Adamo Drive) from Brandon east, pass State Road 92, continue 1 mile and make a left turn onto Horton Road. There is a Glover School historic marker on SR60 prior to making the turn on Horton.