Jesse’s Tools

• Located under the Publix tiles on the west wall, you will see Jesse’s Tools. Jesse Johnson married Marjorie Campbell, a member of one of the original families in the Seminole area. These 60 acres were a gift to be used for pasture and a vegetable garden. Jesse later donated this land to the city, and today the Seminole City Center stands there. Cows were raised in a large pasture where the Seminole City Center is today. Jesse also owned the land where Freedom Square and Seminole Garden Apartments are located today.
• Jesse Johnson was instrumental in creating the city of Seminole. He helped build the first bank, the Bank of Seminole. He also established the Seminole Nursery, the first grocery store, and the post office. Shoppers were travelling to St. Petersburg to patronize the nearest grocery store. Jesse persuaded A & P to come to Seminole so the residents didn’t have to travel so far to buy groceries.. This A & P store is still standing today on Seminole Blvd. You know it as the Treasure Island Fun Center.
• He also supplied the logs to build the first scouting headquarters. He was awarded the Silver Beaver for community service, the highest honor of scouting.
• Jesse Johnson owned the land where the present Richard O. Jacobson Technical High School is located. He also dug out the small pond located in Seminole Park.
• The farm tools used by area farmers including a buck saw, log rollers, and scythe. There are also yokes to harness mules for pulling and working the farm.