Jack O. Holmes collection, 1926-1978, Date acquired: 03/00/1999
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Holmes, Jack O. (Jack Oliver) (1905-1996)
- Extent:
- 6.28 Linear Feet
- 9 boxes
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Jack O. Holmes collection, USF Libraries - Tampa Special Collections, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.
Background
- Scope and content:
The collection contains materials documenting the career of Florida landscape architect Jack O. Holmes and consists of business records, landscape planting plans, photographs and slides of Holmes' work, schematic designs and specifications. The collection primarily consists of photographs divided into businesses and residences. Some of the photographs are mounted. Many of the photographs include hand written notes.
- Biographical / historical:
Jack Oliver Holmes was born in Sistersville, West Virginia in 1905. He came to Florida in 1923, starting as a nurseryman in the landscape industry. From 1923-1928 he worked as architect in charge of landscapes for William F. Knull. In 1928, Holmes purchased Knull's landscape business and opened an office in Tampa, which he maintained until 1934. He played a large role in the development of Florida's landscaping industry. His collection of rare plants covered 30 acres, incorporated into a business in 1932 as Holmes Nursery. Holmes' career spanned from the Florida land boom of the 1920s to the 1990s.
Jack Holmes studied plants and landscaping on trips around the world, always looking for rare plants. He is known for introducing various types of azaleas, philodendrons, double yellow hibiscus, red bougainvillea, and orchids to Florida. He designed landscaping for many prominent Florida attractions and businesses such as the University of South Florida's original landscaping, Busch Gardens, Cypress Gardens, the Tampa Electric Building, the Hillsborough County Court House, the WTVT building in Tampa, St. Leo College, the People's Bank in Lakeland, and many more. Holmes played an active role in his profession and the community until his death in 1996.
- Acquisition information:
Estate of Jack O. Holmes
Donated by Mary Fisher Holmes, widow of Jack Oliver Holmes.
- Processing information:
Complete; The Landmark Motor Lodge folder contains photographs of a palm tree that Holmes persistently argued to obtain. In the end, he won and planted the grouping of palms at the landmark motor lodge.
- Arrangement:
Organized into the following series: records, landscape planting plans, photographs, oversized, and slides. The flat boxes contain mounted photographs, schematic designs/specifications, and landscaping plans too large to fit in a document box.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Terms of access:
None. The contents of the collection may be subject to copyright. Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for more information.
- Preferred citation:
Jack O. Holmes collection, USF Libraries - Tampa Special Collections, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.
- Location of this collection:
-
The University of South Florida, Tampa Campus4202 East Fowler Ave. LIB122TampaFL33620-5400USA
