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Hubbard L. Hart (1827-1895) moved to Palatka, Florida from Georgia in 1855 and worked as a mail carrier on a route from Ocala to Tampa. In the 1860s, he established the Hart Line of freight and passenger steamers on the Ocklawaha River; was a pioneer orange grower and shipper; built and operated the Putnam House Hotel; and was involved in railroad and canal projects. He was instrumental in creating a tourist attraction out of Silver Springs.
For sixty years, the Hart Line successfully operated a steamship business and ferry services for people and goods throughout much of central Florida. During that time, the company had several corporate names, including Hart's Daily Line, the Ocklawaha Navigation Co., the Ocklawaha & St. John's Navigation Co. and the Ocklawaha Steamboat Co.; however, it was popularly known as the Hart Line. After Hart's death in 1895, his wife's family took over the business until 1919, when competition from railroads, faster riverboats and World War I made the Hart Line obsolete.
Summary:
This collection consists of materials related to Hubbard L. Hart and his various business ventures, particularly the operation of his steamboat line on the Ocklawaha River in Central Florida. The types of records include pocket diaries, account books, correspondence, financial records, and photographs. The bulk of the collection is photocopied, but there are some original materials.
The pocket diaries provide a glimpse into Hart's daily life, primarily through meticulously noted financial transactions. They also include notes on the weather, people he encountered or had dealings with, travels, and personal matters. The account books are similar to the pocket diaries in that they document Hart's finances, but the account books only occasionally include diary entries describing the weather or notable occurrences. The correspondence consists of letters written to Hart that document his various business dealings, but also includes a few personal letters from friends and relatives. The financial records include items other than account books, such as orders, invoices, and receipts.
The folder titled "Miscellaneous Items" in Box 4 includes some materials related to Hart's various enterprises, such as tickets for passage, correspondence, certificates, envelopes, and a revocation notice. Most of the materials in this folder post-date Hart's death in 1895, although there are some undated items. Box 4 also includes a folder of photographs: two of buildings in Palatka, Florida, two of steamboats with passengers (one is the Astatula), and one of Hart's Ocklawaha River office.
Finding Aids:
Folder listing available. 0
Additional Physical Form:
Reproduction Note:
Location of originals unknown.
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Associated Materials:
For more materials related to Hubbard L. Hart's business activities, see Collection M81-7, Hubbard L. Hart and Associates Papers, 1850-1918 (3.50 cubic feet) and Collection M86-4, Hubbard L. Hart Papers, 1833, 1855-1899 (1 microfilm reel).
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Electronic Records Access:
Subject Access Fields:
Hart, Hubbard L., 1827-1895
Hart Line (Firm) Ocklawaha Navigation Co.
Steamboats Florida
Diaries. aat Business records. aat
Oklawaha River (Fla.) Palatka (Fla.)
for detailed listing.