This story moves me. I live in a home that has been in my family for decades. It is in one of our city’s historic districts. We thought that offered a degree of protection from rampant destruction, but it doesn’t anymore. Not here anyway. Roads can go where they want them to go.
We realized this was getting very serious about 2003 when the Bush administration kept pushing the envelope. Historic homes, even famous ones are no longer safe. We were researching this so we could figure out how to preserve old cemeteries and historic homes as part of genealogical project. I think, correct me if wrong…the bill was called SAFETEA LU.
I understand how this family feels.
Looking back
A visit to the homestead is a trip back in time.
The oldest home is a beige two-story house built in 1850, and at one time it was the only house between Winter Haven and Bartow. It is filled with beautiful old furniture, and black and white family pictures line the walls.
PIERRE DUCHARME/THE LEDGER
The original home of the Atkins family stands on their property in Winter Haven. A road may threaten the homestead.
In the early 1900s, Robert Atkins’ great-great grandmother allowed neighbors to use a dirt path on her property to feed and water their horses. Eventually, they built a road for easier access.
Today, the Atkins family faces the prospect of a modern highway that they say threatens their way of life. The road, an extension of Thompson Nursery Road, could split the 180-acre homestead that has been in the family for seven generations.
….”For 150 years we’ve hunted, fished and gone horseback riding here,” said Ken Atkins. “This would destroy us.”
PIERRE DUCHARME/THE LEDGER
Christopher Matthew Atkins, 7, walks through a pasture with his dad, Robert Atkins, on the family’s property in Winter Haven on Friday. The extension of Thompson Nursery Road may split their homestead that has been in the family for seven generations.
“I was hoping that my grandkids would be able to enjoy this like I did,” Robert Atkins said. “My father would not be happy.”
I was trying to explain this to one of our county planners here, but he said oh no the historic places are safe. I need to go back through some old files after reading this today.
