After months of vigilant planning and legal battles with Gordon Barnett and Seminole County, Hibbard drove to the community house for the meeting that would create Casselberry, Florida,. The old white frame building that had once been a large chicken coop was empty—hardly an auspicious beginning for a prosperous community, but it would do. Not even Mel was there. She and the children were up north for a funeral.
Gordon Barnett sat in the audience stunned, unable to speak, unqualified to vote, and incapable of stopping the disintegration of his Fern Park Estates. Of course, in 1933, he had put Hibbard in exactly that same position.
William Drake rose. “I make a motion that the town be named ‘Casselberry.’”
“I second it,” Alma said.
The name pleased Hibbard, and it was a logical choice. The ACL Railway already called the stop Casselberry rather than Casselberry Siding. Most of the businesses in the area already used the name Casselberry. And the surveyor who created the map for Hibbard had called it the Map of Casselberry.
Benz called for the vote. “All in favor of the name Casselberry will let it be known by saying ‘Aye.’”
A rousing response rose from the residents, followed by a familiar dissenting voice. “No.”
Benz halted the meeting. “Mr. Barnett, I ask you to please refrain from taking part in this meeting.”
“Why don’t you put him out?” shouted grove owner Frank Russell from the crowd.
The court reporter noted that “loud and continuous laughter filled the room.” Benz slammed his gavel again to regain control of the boisterous crowd.
Barnett gritted his teeth and sat stoically throughout the proceedings. He had no idea what lengths Hibbard might go to, but he needed to know.
Then the frugal personality of the new town’s residents emerged, starting with Renzo “Hat” Hattaway. “The corporate seal should bear the name ‘Casselberry, Florida’ around the outer edge, and add only ‘Incorporated 1940.’”
“The seal should be as simple as possible—nothing more than is necessary,” added Mr.
Height. “In other words, I am thinking of expense.”
Benz assured the two men the seal was simple. “If you add one or two more letters, it won’t make a penny’s difference.”
The name Casselberry Gardens, as written on the posted legal notices, was nowhere to be found. It’s possible that after adding Gardens made it too long for the seal.
The next issue was the approval of territorial limits. Frank Russell, who had suggested Barnett’s removal, spoke again. “I move to strike my property from the town’s description. It was added without my authorization.”
Benz advised, “Mr. Russell, under the rules, the motion would be unconstitutional.”
Not to be denied his victory, Hibbard stood up and went nose-to-nose with Russell in a verbal wrestling match.
Benz slammed the gavel and yet again shouted over them. “Gentlemen, settle down.”
When the time came to nominate a mayor, Mrs. Newton Merrill said, “I nominate Hibbard Casselberry.”
Unwilling resident Frank Russell retaliated by nominating Paul Bates, Hibbard’s fernery foreman. Benz counted the ballots and announced Hibbard as the victorious first Mayor of Casselberry, Florida. According to the meeting’s minutes, excited and prolonged applause filled the community house.
Once they clarified that a board of aldermen was the same as a council, the citizens proceeded to elect their first board of five aldermen: Mrs. Newton Merrill, Cedric Benz, William Drake, and Helena K Smith. They elected Mary Hallett, as the town clerk. Talley Hattaway became the Marshal. Paul Bates became the Fire Chief, and remained in that position for over twenty-five years. He also served as the second mayor of the Tax Free Town.