Brandon

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Historic Town of Brandon

More Photos
Tolik
Tolik
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
6
Photos
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-2 of 2

History of the city of Brandon

  • July 31, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Tolik from Tampa, Florida
History of the city of Brandon

John Brandon, the founder of Brandon town, was born in 1809. John, his wife Victoria and son James Henry came from Mississippi around 1857, bringing with them seven slaves and first naming future Brandon ‘New Hope’. Area was full of palmettos and underbrush and wilderness. James married Johanna Cavacevich, a relative of the first Anglo-American to locate in the Tampa Bay area. James was captured in the Civil War and was a prisoner on Rock Island, Ill. He was released in 1866, arrived home and built a log cabin in the spot that Brandon Bowling Lanes now stands. His son John William Brandon was born in 1867 in this cabin and was the first child born in Brandon. They would not recognize the place now.

From journal Brandon Florida

Editor Pick

Brandon Town

  • July 31, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Tolik from Tampa, Florida
Brandon Town

This small city on the outskirts of Tampa has come a long way since the late 1850's, when John Brandon and his family came to the area from Mississippi and started it all with 40 acres of land and a secluded dirt road. Only 12 miles east of the downtown Tampa, Brandon boasts prosperous small town living with easy access to the big city (if you travel outside the peak hours). Its population in 2000 was around 78,000; today more than 110,000. There is plenty to do within the Brandon city limits, but you will also find that you are close to the Gulf Coast beaches (from 50 min). Main Central Florida attraction, Disney World in Orlando is pretty close - the drive takes about an hour and 25 minutes. The near-perfect weather is great for the event Brandon is most well known for – the annual Brandon Balloon Classic. Every April Brandon hosts this two-day celebration that includes over 50 hot air balloons from all over the country. This year it was on April 27 – 29. The event takes place at the local Vandenberg Airport. 2004 marks the 22nd anniversary of the Classic, a significant event for the Brandon community. The balloons come in all shapes and sizes - Tony the Tiger, a Snowman, a Polar Bear, a Pumpkin to name a few. Yes, they offer hot air balloon rides for the brave souls. You can see the balloons lift off at dawn, enjoy activities and refreshments throughout the day and stay for the evening balloon glow. Now you are ready to visit the town. Picture yourself in a car driving from Tampa eastwards along SR60. You see the sign; "Welcome to Brandon" it says "Great Today, Greater Tomorrow". Sounds good, isn’t it? But right behind the shield you will see a local cemetery and the Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home. Is that the future they are talking about? ...or it’s a Floridian joke?..hmm...I don’t know.

From journal Brandon Florida

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-2 of 2

Compare Brandon Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Brandon Travel Deals