Historic Hastings Florida

In the 1870's New Yorker Utley J. White began the development of a narrow gauge railroad to support a logging industry. His railroads reached the southern portions of St. Johns County in the mid- 1880's. White's railroad was purchased by Henry Morrison Flagler who converted the railroad to standard gauge. In the 1890's, Thomas H. Hastings established a farm known as Prairie Garden at what was to become Hastings. Using greenhouses, Hastings was able to supply vegetables for the hotels constructed by Henry Morrison Flagler. At about the same time, Flagler extended his Florida East Coast Railroad to Prairie Garden and called the station "Hastings Station." This permitted the shipping of potatoes to northern markets and the development of the potato industry. By 1901, the Hastings area shipped 43,000 bushels of Irish potatoes and 23,000 bushels of sweet potatoes and had become the "Potato Capital of Florida". Other businesses were established including mercantile and the Middleton House Hotel, where rates were $1.50 a day. Transportation other than by train remained a problem with the abysmal conditions of the roads....In early 1915, the route for the Dixie Highway was designated as running through Hastings, with a connector from Hastings to Orlando. The town celebrated its designation as being on the Dixie Highway with a parade with decorated floats, carriages and automobiles....Traces of the original Dixie Highway and the connector are visible today in Hastings. --Source: Town of Hastings website

Preserving the structure and history of the farming community of Hastings, Florida began with the Hastings High School. The property known as the Hastings Potato Growers Association building, together with the data housed and preserved there, contains the records of the families and the crops that contributed to the creation of Hastings, Florida, and its farming industry, and to the continuity of the history and growth of this area. Family farmers and family farming have been the life blood of this community dating back to the founders, Henry Flagler and his protégé, Mr. Hastings. The history of the building, and its construction completed in 1927, should qualify it to be placed on the historical register. We feel that the preservation of the building and the history is a requirement for each of us who love the area and want to leave a legacy for the future farmers and residents of the area.

The Hastings Potato Growers Association, occupied the building located at 101 East Ashland Avenue. The Association was founded in 1922, the builders and only occupants, had their offices and operation in the building until 2002 when it was purchased by The Pacetti Group, Inc.

Built in 1927, the historic building of approximately 6000 square feet total, has approximately 3500 square feet downstairs and 2600 square feet approximately upstairs. Construction is hollow tile and stucco exterior. There is a raised stage area and loading docks with two doors. There are two walk-in safe vaults—one upstairs and one downstairs. A detached storage shed has drive-through doors at each end with a carport area at the front. There are five private offices, two restrooms. Some restoration and updating have been done, but more is expected to be necessary. Upstairs and downstairs have separate air-conditioning units. Lot size is irregular.