Early Bird, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Early Bird, Florida
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The Alice Mine in Early Bird, 1910
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 Early Bird, Florida
Location in Florida
Early Bird, Florida
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Marion |
| Elevation | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 295250 |
Early Bird is a small, historic place in Marion County, Florida, United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes or businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Instead, it's part of the larger county.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Early Bird has an interesting past, mostly connected to railroads and mining.
The Railroad Connection
In 1891, a railroad track was built through Early Bird. This track was part of the Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad. It stretched for about 29 miles (47 kilometers). This railroad helped connect Early Bird to other places. It was important for moving goods and people. Today, this railroad branch is no longer used.
Mining for Riches
Early Bird was once home to a phosphate mine. Phosphate is a mineral used to make fertilizers. These fertilizers help plants grow. Other mines were also located nearby. Mining was a big industry in the area for a while. However, by 1915, the mine in Early Bird had been closed for a long time.
A Place to Send Mail
Early Bird even had its own post office! It opened in 1893. This meant people living there could send and receive letters and packages. It was an important service for the community.
Timber and Trees
Later, in 1920, a company called Melton Timber Company came to Early Bird. They operated a logging railroad. This special railroad helped them move cut trees from the forests. They also had a mill in Early Bird. At the mill, they would process the timber. This shows how different industries shaped the history of this small community.
