Pine Level, DeSoto County, Florida facts for kids

Pine Level is a ghost town located in DeSoto County, Florida, United States. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and very little remains of the original settlement.

Pine Level started in the 1850s. It was a busy place with stores, churches, and homes. It also had a courthouse and a jail. Life in the early days could be tough, and sometimes disagreements led to fights.

A Changing County Seat

Pine Level played an important role in Florida's history. It was once a county seat, which is like the main town for a county's government.

Manatee County's County Seat

In 1866, Pine Level was chosen to be the new county seat for Manatee County. It replaced the village of Manatee, which is now part of Bradenton. Pine Level was picked because it was more in the center of the county. This made it easier for people from all parts of Manatee County to reach the government offices.

DeSoto County's County Seat

Later, in 1887, a new county called DeSoto County was created from part of Manatee County. Pine Level then became the first county seat for this new DeSoto County. However, this did not last long. In 1889, the county seat for DeSoto County was moved to a different town called Arcadia.

The Railroad Era

For a time, Pine Level was connected by a railroad, which helped the town grow.

Building the Railway

The East & West Coast Railway began building a train track in July 1913. This track stretched from Bradenton all the way to Arcadia. The railway line was nearly 50 miles long. It was finished and opened for trains on May 3, 1915.

Pine Level's Train Stop

Pine Level was located on this new train line. It was about 41 miles from the starting point in Bradenton. The town had its own train station, called a depot. There were also special tracks for trains to wait or load goods. A large saw mill in Pine Level used the railroad to transport wood.

End of the Railway

In July 1933, the railway company decided to close down the tracks between Bradenton and Arcadia. Most of the tracks were removed in September 1934. This meant Pine Level no longer had train service.

What Remains Today

Today, not much is left of the old Pine Level. You can still find a few historical sites. These include the Pine Level Methodist Church, which is a very old church. There are also two old cemeteries: the Indian Mound Cemetery and the Pine Level Campground Cemetery. A special bronze marker from the State of Florida helps people find the site.

Images for kids

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  Pine Level Methodist Church