Rubonia, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rubonia, Florida
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Unincorporated community
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| Rubonia | |
 Rubonia, Florida
Location in Manatee County
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Manatee |
| Elevation | 3 ft (0.9 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 941 |
| FIPS code | 12-62225 |
| GNIS feature ID | 290046 |
Rubonia is a small community in Manatee County, Florida. It is not a city, but an "unincorporated community," meaning it's a place with a shared identity but no local government of its own. Rubonia is surrounded by other towns and natural areas. To the east is Parrish, to the north is Tampa Bay, to the west is Terra Ceia, and to the south is Memphis, FL.
Contents
History of Rubonia
The land that became Rubonia was first bought in 1868 by Albert Stonelake. He was a surgeon in the United States Union Army. In 1881, he sold the land to Marcus DeVoursney.
How Rubonia Got Its Name
After DeVoursney passed away, the land was sold to William and Nellie Smith in 1911. They planned to build a neighborhood there in 1913. They called it East Terra Ceia. This area was meant to be homes for African American people who worked as farmers nearby.
However, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad asked for the name to be changed. This was because East Terra Ceia was often confused with the nearby town of Terra Ceia. William Smith chose a new name from a list given by the railroad company.
There's a fun story about how the name Rubonia came to be. A newspaper writer named Rube Allyn claimed he suggested the name. He said his friend, Charles R. Capp, named it after him. But this story might just be one of Allyn's jokes. Most people believe the name came from the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.
Community Life and Changes
Even though Rubonia was planned as a neighborhood for one group of people, the 1920 census showed it was mixed. Both white and Black families lived there. The community has always stayed fairly small. Most residents worked in farming or factories.
In 1965, a new road, U.S. 41, was built. This road went around Rubonia instead of through it. This change made it harder for the community to grow.
Rubonia gained some attention in 1973 when a movie called Ride in a Pink Car was filmed there. However, the movie's story and news reports made Rubonia seem like a wild and dangerous place. This was not true. Rubonia was actually a diverse neighborhood where families owned their homes.
Rubonia Mardi Gras
Rubonia is famous for hosting one of the only Mardi Gras parades in its area. It's called the Historical Rubonia & Terra Ceria Mardi Gras. This event started in 1980.
How the Mardi Gras Started
A woman named Luanne Topp, also known as Ruby Rubonia, wanted to go to the New Orleans Mardi Gras for her birthday. She couldn't make the trip. So, to cheer her up, about a dozen friends decided to throw their own parade. They jumped on a truck and drove through town, celebrating.
Popularity and Revival
The parade was a huge hit with the community. It became an annual event. At its busiest, over 20,000 people would come to watch! In 2015, the parade was canceled because of money problems. But in 2017, the D.L. Randall Foundation brought it back. They continue to fund and host the event every year.
