Editing Samoset, Florida (section)

==History==
Samoset was incorporated as a city in September 1926, and had a reported population of 1,034.<ref>"New Manatee City Selects First Rulers". ''The Tampa Times'',  September 2, 1926. Retrieved from Newspapers.com, February 13, 2020.</ref> The name may have come from [[Samoset]], an [[Algonquin people|Algonquin]] Indian,<ref>{{cite news|author=Grimes, David|date=November 23, 1979|title=The Legends Behind Manatee Names|pages=3B|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4zogAAAAIBAJ&pg=6818%2C4195067|access-date=June 6, 2015}}</ref> but a newspaper article at the time reported that the township was named for a flag station of the [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad]]. The new city's seal consisted of an Indian head, a palm tree, and the year 1926, all surrounded by the name "Samoset" and Florida at the bottom.<ref>"Municipality of Samoset Launched at Mass Meeting". ''Bradenton Herald'', September 1, 1926. Microfilm.</ref> There were a few subdivisions that were developed before the incorporation, consisting of Listville, Hill Park, and Pinecrest, all of which were consolidated into the new city of Samoset.<ref>"Township Election Planned in Manatee". ''Tampa Tribune'', August 27, 1926. Retrieved from Newspapers.com, February 13, 2020.</ref> 

William A. Thomas built the new community's first general store, a two-story brick building, in 1925.<ref>"The Depression kept Samoset from thriving". ''Bradenton Herald'' article from 1955, reprinted in ''Historical Chronicles of the South'', September 22, 1975. Print.</ref> The original boundaries of the township ran south from the Bradenton city limits to present-day Cortez Road along 1st Street and a mile east of old Bradenton-Sarasota Road. The city of Manatee bordered it on the north, but it merged with Bradenton in 1944 and is now known as East Bradenton. Manatee's original borders ran from 1st Street to Braden River.

Early pioneers Thomas, George, and Luke Wyatt, and Eva Felts secured the installation of power lines from Southern Power Company.<ref>"The Depression kept Samoset from thriving". ''Bradenton Herald'' article from 1955, reprinted in ''Historical Chronicles of the South'', 22 September 1975</ref> Upon incorporation, R.R. Rodeman, a developer, was elected the town's first mayor. G.L. Bryant was made city clerk, W.W. Fry town marshal, and Claud Schafer, George Wyatt, W.D. Thomas, C.A. Bingham, and E.F. Staples made up the city council.<ref>"Samoset Made Town by Citizens' Votes". ''Tampa Tribune'', September 2, 1926. Retrieved from Newspapers.com, February 13, 2020.</ref> New mayor Rodeman was the developer of the above-mentioned subdivisions as well as that of Sunshine Ridge. Within days of the town's incorporation, a group of 20 residents organized in a bid to dissolve the new incorporation, but the move failed.<ref>"Samoset Citizens Oppose New Town, Seek Dissolution". ''Tampa Tribune'', September 9, 1926. Retrieved from Newspapers.com,  February 13, 1926.</ref> 

Meanwhile, a new school opened in October 1926, and had an enrollment of 30 children and was housed in the community hall. A teacher, Mrs. Charles Bingham, taught second and third grades. Another teacher, Mrs. Gladys La Croix, instructed 55 more children in the primary room (probably kindergarten and first grades).<ref>"Samoset School Opens". ''Tampa Tribune'', October 8, 1926. Retrieved from Newspapers.com, February 13, 1926.</ref> In March 1927, a post office opened and city clerk Joseph E. Bryant was made postmaster, and a stand-alone building was subsequently constructed.<ref>"Samoset Gets Post Office". ''Tampa Tribune'',  March 15. 1927. Retrieved from Newspapers.com February 13, 2020.</ref> A new church, Missionary Baptist, was founded in May of that year and consisted of 20 parishioners.<ref>"Samoset Founds Church". ''Tampa Tribune'', August 25, 1927. Retrieved from Newspapers.com, February 13, 2020.</ref>

In August 1927, Samoset residents' election was held, and S. Ed Curry succeeded outgoing mayor R.R. Rodeman, while J.M.Haynes and W.D. Thomas were elected to city council. In addition, E.B. Johnson was elected city clerk and F.A. Schmacher was marshal.<ref>"Curry Is Elected Mayor of Samoset". ''Tampa Tribune'', September 6, 1927. Retrieved from Newspapers.com, February 13, 2020.</ref> In June 1928, another move to abolish the new town failed and the town continued on, until December when the move to abolish the town finally went through by a vote of 115 to 31. After the dissolution, the area returned to unincorporated, rural status.<ref>"Samoset Voted Today to Give Up Government." ''Tampa Tribune'',  December 18, 1928. Retrieved from Newspapers.com, February 13, 2020.</ref>