HAPPY FATHERS DAY, 2018
June 11 Meeting of the
Largo Area Historical Society
What a f un filled meeting we on June 11th. Ted and Ron did a SUPER job of grilling the burgers, franks and brats….we ate everything!!! Judy and Jim Akin did a perfect job on the gift drawings…they a some help from Gordons Grandson Luke who checked every winning ticket and delivered the prizes. Marilyn did an excellent job in talking about the upcoming trip to France. We had visitors f rom the American Legion, the current Commander and past Commander. Thanks for coming guys. Jim and Charlie showed a short video that everyone seemed to really like….The 50/50 winner donated the winning share back to the club. Thank You.
HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE AGAIN. ….It was just last September that a lady named Erma came to visit us. Please be prepared for the next one. Don’t wait until the last minute to get yourself ready, do your planning NOW!
Still Today, HOW PROUD WE ARE
The Largo High School
World Champion Band of Gold
We Ask for YOUR Assistance!
Your Largo Area Historical Society will be sending three members to Alsace province in France in late September 2018. Our three members will represent the Historical Society at a centennial ceremony commemorating the end of World War 1.
The ceremony will honor each of the 49 American Soldiers who gave their lives in the local campaign to defeat the Germans. One of the young soldiers killed in action was a 17 year old boy from our own Largo. Pvt. Worth Johnson was first buried in the local military cemetery, latter his remains were returned home to Largo by his Gold Star Mother.
We ask our members and friends to help us move this Historical Society project forward. It costs a lot of money to send our three members to the ceremony in France.
Any donation that you can make will help defray the costs of this trip. Your donation will be very much appreciated. Please send your check made out the Largo Area Historical Society and mail to: P O Box 1984, Largo, Florida 33779
Please contact Charlie Harper, 1st VP at: charper1@tampabay.rr.com for additional information.
Great New Addition to the Largo Historical Society Museum
Lee and Jean Beistle loaded 27 LHS Yearbooks for the Book Collection at the Historical Society Museum. Largo High was reducing the inventory of old yearbooks and were giving them away. The Historical Society received the books covering the time period from the mid 1980s until most recent yearbooks. Out thanks to Largo High!
The Largo Area Historical Society will be making a major announcement soon about members of the Society visiting France in the Fall of this year. November 2018 will mark the 100th year of end of WW1. Over 75 young men from Largo took part in that war, several will killed in action. More to come soon on this story.
Welcome to the Home Web Site of the
LARGO AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Located in Beautiful Largo Central Park
Largo, Florida 33770 charper1@tampabay.rr.com
Workday at the Museum
Thursday, April 19 a small crew met at the Historic Feed Store to clean house.
Society President Don Forehand and Wise Cracker Executive Editor, Marilyn Short clean and wash down the Museum Display Cabinets.
Historical Society Board Member and Co-Chair of the Cracker Supper Jean Beistle proudly holds a photo on loan from the Largo Band of Gold taken during the World Championship tour in 1974.
We really could use more help on “Cleanup Days” Members are always welcome to come and help out!
Need information about the Society or Largo History, call Charlie Harper at 727-584-4906 or email at: charper1@tampabay.rr.com
2018 CRACKER SUPPER HUGE SUCCESS!
Over 300 of our members, and friends attended the Cracker Supper this year. As usual the Orange Juice Hour was available to all.
The 2018 “Cracker Girls” welcomed everyone at the door and throughout the evening. Our Thanks to Joan, Jean and Sarah. What a really great job they did!
Something New at the Cracker Supper this Year
We had our first Silent Auction, everyone had a blast bidding on over 30 items…we play to do this one again next year. OUR THANKS TO THE OVER 100 MERCHANTS WHO DONATED ITEMS FOR THE AUCTION.
Just two of the many items we had to bid on. Judy and Jim Akin did a wonderful job of decorating the baskets. Thanks Judy and Jim!
Cracker Supper 2018
The LHS Class of 1964 WINS AGAIN!
For the 2nd straight year the LHS Class of 1964 has won the coveted Cracker Supper Attendance Award. Right at 32 class members showed all other LHS classes the way to win. Great Job Class of ’64.
While speaking of the Class of 1964……that class donated to Largo High a beautiful bench that now sits along the LHS Walk of Honor….Thanks LHS 64
World War 1, 1917 – 1918
For the United States of America and Largo, Florida World War 1 Started in April of 1917. Many Largo Boys enlisted to serve our Nation. Two of the first to enlist were Ralph Heisler and Worth Johnson, both students ant Largo High.
Both of these young men died during the war of wounds received in action. As we acknowledge Memorial Day 2018 let us remember these two young men of Largo and all other who died serving in the Military of the United States.
The Western Union telegram received by the Heisler Family of their Son, Ralph’s death in 1918.
Our Thanks to Chris George, Reporter at the Largo Leader Newspaper
The May 11th edition of the paper carried a front page story about two sons of Largo, Ralph Heisler and Worth Johnson who at age 17 were killed in action during World War 1. The paper credited Largo Historical Society Researchers Marilyn Short and Charlie Harper with finding the facts and doing the research to make this story possible. Jim McGee and Charlie Harper worked together in making a DVD Video about Largo and World War 1, including stories about Heisler and Johnson. The video will be for sale at the Historic Largo Feed Store soon.
Once again we offer our Thanks to the Largo Leader for a fine job of Community service.
The DVD Video that will be offered for sale soon at the Historic Largo Feed Store.
A Bit of Largo History
We welcome you to the Official Web Site of the Largo Area Historical Society. Modern day Largo was first settled way back in 1843 when the three McKay Brothers settled along the creek that would be named for them, McKay Creek. Captain Lowe came in 1859 and built a settlement store called Lowe’s Landings. In 1888 the railroad came to Largo and the citrus and cattle business started to boom. Until 1912 Largo was in Hillsborough County. On January 1, 1912 Pinellas County was formed. Today, Largo is the 4th largest city in the Tampa Bay Metro area with an estimated population over 87,400. Largo is a good mix of Business, Retirement and Family, a really great place to call home!
Have a question about the 170+ year history of the greater Largo area. Please contact the Largo Area Historical Society at: charper1@tampabay.rr.com
May 8, 2017 Meeting of the
Largo Area Historical Society
Vice President Charlie Harper and Secret Service Agent Mike Chlebda discuss the speakers background prior to the meeting. Special Agent Chlebda was a really good speaker, sharing his knowledge and interest in the Secret Service. Agent Chlebda answered numerous questions and proved to be a favorite. Largo Police Chief, Jeff Undestad came by the Feed Store to say hello, joining in to make this a very special night.
Our thanks to the United States Secret Service Tampa Office and to the Chief Undestad of the Largo Police Department.
2017, another successful Cracker Supper! A large crowd came out to support the Largo Area Historical Society. Over 300 attended, sharing the fellowship and fun.
Congratulations to the LHS Class of 1964 for winning the 2017 Cracker Supper Attendance Award. Great job “64”.
The LHS Class of 1962 was awarded a FIVE YEAR trophy for the best attended Class for five straight years, 2012 – 2016. What a really great effort Class of 1962.
Jim Kramer proudly displays 5 year trophy
Ted Signor, our MC and host for the evening.
Watch this site for full photo coverage the week of March 20.
Our thanks to the 2017 Cracker Girls, Jean, Sarah and Joan for the fine job this year!!
A full display of Largo Historical Society items for sale will be available at the 2017 Cracker Supper. A good time to get those “special” Birthday and Easter Gifts.
Please remember in your thoughts and prayers all the members of the Society, and especially those who are Ill.
Thank you Jim Kramer for sharing your new DVD Video, Pages of Our Life. Everyone Really enjoyed it.
Welcome to the Official Web Site of the Largo Area Historical Society
Brad Finkbiner, Principal of LHS Deborah Clark, Pinellas County
Supervisor of Elections
Two really great speakers at the September 12th meeting of the Largo Area Historical Society….The Historic Old Feed Store was filled to the brem with members as they heard Mr. Finkbiner update us on our new Largo High. Ms. Deborah Clark followed making a very good presentation on how the election process works, and comment about the upcoming election.
Our thanks to both speakers….Very Good!
Please Pardon us while we work on our new site…Some page are not updated yet, but we continue to work on the pages. Thanks for your Patience!
The Largo Area Historical Society is located in beautiful Largo Central Park at the Historic Largo Feed Store
President Don Forehand and wife Barb invite you to our next Historical Society Meeting on Monday, September 12, 2016 at 6:30 PM
Our next Meeting is on Monday, September 12, 6:30 PM
Special Friends come together at the monthly meetings of the Historical Society…. 
What Makes Largo So Special
Stroll through the park on a sunny day in Largo
