JANE JAY

NAME: Jane Jay
COUNTY: Polk
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 3
CLIMATE: Fine
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime
COMMENTS:Local residents. 1.9 miles
north of the Polk County-Hardee County line,
REMAINS: Private Property - None

James Warnke, in "325 Ghost Town Locations in Florida", lists Jane Jay as a ghost town "on RR on south Polk County line off Hy. 27-98. Jane Jay was a phosphate strip mine in the early 1900's. Germany was buying phosphate from the operation until the war. There was a sizable community there in conjunction with the mine. There were other mine communities in the area also called the Tillman Mine and Acme. Many of these operations are long forgotten.

Jane Jay was a land pebble phosphate mine site with houses for the workers and families. I have known people who lived there. The correct site is 1.9 miles north of the Polk County-Hardee County line;  It was the maiden name of Mrs. J. H. Tatum, whose family had a considerable interest in the mine. The site is privately owned and some distance off the public highway.  There are no structures and haven't been for many years. On the DeLorme maps of Florida two crossings of the railroad by US 17 are shown at this location. Both were actually overpasses. Jane Jay was located east of the railroad at the southernmost crossing, which has been abandoned for years. O. H. Wright


Old Feed Mill
Courtesy Michael Woodfin


Old Feed Mill on RR
Courtesy Michael Woodfin


Former Jane Jay Bar
Courtesy Michael Woodfin


This sump pump and generator were found in the woods abandoned from the old Jane Jay mining operation. They were restored and now are on display at the Pioneer Park in Zolfo Springs - Mike Woodfin


Former Jane Jay Mining Site 2012
Courtesy Jim Pike

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