Wildwood, Florida
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Wildwood is a city located in Sumter County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 3,924.
Wildwood is home to Buddy's Bar-B-Que, a notable holdout against Florida's smoking ban, located on US 301. It received moderate local media attention in July 2004, due to a 10-foot long, 5-foot tall, fiberglass pig attached to the roof of the building. Formerly just decoration, it now has a section of PVC pipe protruding from its rear end painted to resemble a cigarette. Attached to cooking smoke from inside, the restaurant's slogan is "Home of the Smokin' Pig". Signs indoors state that smoking is permitted, although donations are accepted to pay for smoking fines.
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A Brief History
According to tradition, this is how Wildwood obtained its name before it was a community. In 1877, a crew of workmen and a surveyor were putting in a telegraph line south of Ocala, Florida. The surveyor was required to report in from time to time. So when the surveyor called in and the office asked "Where are you?" He paused, and the answer he gave was, "I don't know, except in the wild woods."
I.E. Barwick is considered to be Wildwood's founding father. Wanton S. Webb's History of Florida, published during the latter part of the nineteenth century, described Wildwood as being settled in 1877 by I.E. Barwick. Isaac W. Barwick was a 25-year-old entrepreneur who traveled to the area from Georgia and set up a lumbering operation. Along with a small number of pioneers, Barwick built a few stores, homes and a town square. The early settlers of Wildwood participated in agricultural pursuits, most of the products produced were usually for home consumption, like cotton. Some cotton was carried by ox carts to Silver Springs for shipment. Later the Lee family of Leesburg opened canals and waterways which made it possible to transport their products all the way to Bug Springs. Bug Springs is a large spring located near the community of Okahumpka.Wigwam1.gif
In 1882, the Tropical Florida Railroad Company had extended a line south from Ocala to Wildwood. On June 1, 1882, the first train, pulled by a wood burning engine named "The Cabbage Head", arrived in Wildwood. By January 1, 1883, another eight miles was added and a new railroad was serving Panasoffkee. In January, 1885, the Florida Railway and Navigation company started construction of an additional 14 miles between Panasoffkee and Terrell. This project was completed that same July.
During the first two decades of this century, Wildwood continued its slow growth. The city hall during these years was an eight-sided building called the Wigwam. The Wigwam not only served as the city hall but was also used as a place for public gathering, skating rink and recreation hall for the young people. The depression hit Wildwood hard in the late '20s and early '30s. Defaults and forfeitures were common and the city also had its problems. A generous reduction of tax bills due "50 cents on the dollar" brought a small amount of new revenues and the town grew steadily through the '30s, '40s and '50s. When the railroad industry declined in the '60s, the town was successfully redirected by a few farsighted leaders. A shopping center was built and Florida's turnpike was completed in 1964.
Wildwood has once again started its slow growth and is well positioned to both control and take advantage of the anticipated interest in the area as a great place to live and raise a family.
Crossroads of Florida
Wildwood is located at the juncture of Interstate 75, the Florida Turnpike, State Road 44, and US Highway 301. Because of its centralized location and easy access to both coasts, it is often referred to as "The Crossroads of Florida". CSX railroad also has a station located on Main Street in Wildwood. The station is also a stop along AMTRAK's national commuter route.
Geography
Wildwood is located at 28°51'31" North, 82°2'19" West (28.858610, -82.038499)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.4 km² (5.2 mi²). 13.4 km² (5.2 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 3,924 people, 1,640 households, and 1,074 families residing in the city. The population density is 293.0/km² (759.7/mi²). There are 2,062 housing units at an average density of 154.0/km² (399.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 64.76% White, 32.93% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.97% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 2.42% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,640 households out of which 23.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% are married couples living together, 17.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% are non-families. 30.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 20.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.28 and the average family size is 2.81.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 18.4% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 33.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 48 years. For every 100 females there are 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 79.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $23,357, and the median income for a family is $27,247. Males have a median income of $23,250 versus $18,103 for females. The per capita income for the city is $11,758. 21.7% of the population and 17.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 39.6% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.