Odet Philippe
Encyclopedia
One of the more colorful figures in Pinellas County’s past, Odet was the first permanent, non-native settler on the Pinellas County peninsula, acquiring 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) of land in what is today Safety Harbor in 1842. He was a successful businessman who introduced cigar
making and citrus
to Tampa Bay
. His descendents, including the McMullen and Booth families (for whom McMullen-Booth Road is named), are among the county’s most well known pioneer clans. Philippe was buried in Philippe Park
– his former plantation – in 1869, but the exact location of the gravesite is not known.
Born Lyon, France, 1787
Died at this Site 1869
As the first European
settler in Pinellas County
he established St. Helena
Plantation, now Philippe Park
Philippe was the first
to cultivate grapefruit
in Florida and introduced
cigar-making to Tampa
His descendants populated
this frontier. He was
said to be a doctor
and of noble birth
Cigar
A cigar is a tightly-rolled bundle of dried and fermented tobacco that is ignited so that its smoke may be drawn into the mouth. Cigar tobacco is grown in significant quantities in Brazil, Cameroon, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Philippines, and the Eastern...
making and citrus
Citrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
to Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico on the west central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay."Tampa Bay" is not the name of any municipality...
. His descendents, including the McMullen and Booth families (for whom McMullen-Booth Road is named), are among the county’s most well known pioneer clans. Philippe was buried in Philippe Park
Philippe Park
Philippe Park is a Pinellas County park located in Safety Harbor, Florida. The park is named after Count Odet Philippe who is credited with introducing grapefruit to the state of Florida in 1823. It is situated on that was once part of Philippe's plantation. Philippe was the county's first...
– his former plantation – in 1869, but the exact location of the gravesite is not known.
Grave Marker Inscription
Odet PhilippeBorn Lyon, France, 1787
Died at this Site 1869
As the first European
settler in Pinellas County
he established St. Helena
Plantation, now Philippe Park
Philippe was the first
to cultivate grapefruit
in Florida and introduced
cigar-making to Tampa
His descendants populated
this frontier. He was
said to be a doctor
and of noble birth
See also
- Philippe ParkPhilippe ParkPhilippe Park is a Pinellas County park located in Safety Harbor, Florida. The park is named after Count Odet Philippe who is credited with introducing grapefruit to the state of Florida in 1823. It is situated on that was once part of Philippe's plantation. Philippe was the county's first...
- Safety Harbor SiteSafety Harbor SiteThe Safety Harbor Site is a historic site in Safety Harbor, Florida, located in Philippe Park, at 2355 Bayshore Drive. It is the largest remaining mound in the Tampa Bay area, and is believed to have been the "capital city" of the Tocobaga. In 1964, it was declared a National Historic Landmark...