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Camp Flastacowo

Camp Flastacowo, Florida State College for Women

Camp Flastacowo, Jim and Betty Lou Joanos Collection

 

History

Students and faculty at the Florida State College for Women began visiting Lake Bradford during the 1910s for picnics, athletic practices, and faculty retreats. In 1916, the university purchased six acres of land surrounding Lake Bradford with the hopes of adding buildings and boats.

 

By 1919, the college truck was transporting students and necessary items to the lake every afternoon.

 

In 1920, Sarah Lundrum Cawthon, Dean of Students, had the idea for a “Flastacowo camp” at Lake Bradford. She presented the idea at a student body meeting in October of 1920, and funds were subsequently raised by Mrs. Cawthon, individually by students, and through campus events.

 

In April 1923, Camp Flastacowo formally opened with new bath houses, diving boards, and a pier. Despite the completion of the camp, they continued to raise money for later additions to accommodate rising enrollment.

 

Along with general recreation, the camp was heavily used by physical education majors to train in “canoeing, bandaging, and to give first aid work and scout tests.” The Tarpon Club, Florida State College for Women’s synchronized swimming team, also used the camp since its founding in 1937.

 

By May of 1924, a second kitchen and screened in porch were being added to the camp, and by 1926, the property was fenced, had a race course, canoes, and boats. In 1930, the camp expanded even further with the purchase of 40 additional acres of land.

 

The camp surrounding the lake remains in use to this day. The name was formally changed from Camp Flastacowo to The Reservation in 1954.

 

“Picnic at Lake Bradford.” Florida Flambeau, 08 May 1915, p. 04.
“Closing Exercised for Field Day." Florida Flambeau, 08 April 1916, p. 01.
“The Ole Swimmin’ Hole.” Florida Flambeau, 10 May 1919, p. 04.
“Student Body Meeting.” Florida Flambeau, 23 Oct 1920, p. 01.
“Plans Made for Camp Flastacowo.” Florida Flambeau, 09 April 1921, p. 01.
“Lake Bradford Opens for Summer Season.” Florida Flambeau, 21 April 1923, p. 03.
“College Camp is Mecca for F.S.C Students.” Florida Flambeau, 17 May 1924, p. 01.
“Not Flastacowo, Not Seminole: It’s The Reservation (We Hope).” Florida Flambeau, 19 February 1954, p. 02.

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