Oak Knoll, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oak Knoll, Florida
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Unincorporated community
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| Oak Knoll | |
 Oak Knoll, Florida
Location in Manatee County
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Manatee |
| Elevation | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 941 |
| FIPS code | 12-50510 |
| GNIS feature ID | 295496 |
Oak Knoll is a small area in Manatee County, Florida, in the United States. It is an "unincorporated area." This means it is part of the county but does not have its own local government like a city or town.
History of Oak Knoll
Oak Knoll was once a small community. It was named after a large farm called the Oak Knoll Grapefruit and Orange Company. This farm was about 100 acres in size. People also knew it as Huyler's Grove.
Early Days and Farming
Oak Knoll was located southeast of Parrish. It was also just north of Bethany. The community was mainly focused on farming. The main crop grown there was citrus, like oranges and grapefruits.
Growth and Development
In 1914, a lawyer named Dan McCord planned a new housing area. He managed a citrus grove in Oak Knoll. His plan was for 16,000 acres along the Manatee River. This large housing project was never fully built. However, a community of farmers and people who lived there in the winter did grow.
Many important things happened in 1914. In April, the Oak Knoll Post Office opened. By the fall, a big hotel was built. The Manatee River Developing Company built it in the middle of the area. In 1915, the local school board replaced the old rural school. They built a new one called Oak Knoll School. By 1916, more than 100 families lived in Oak Knoll. Even with this growth, it stayed a very rural place.
Changes Over Time
In 1920, the Oak Knoll Post Office closed down. Mail service for the area moved to the Verna Post Office. For many years after, people still called the area Oak Knoll. But by the 1970s, it became known as part of the larger Parrish area.
