Description
George MIller is most identified as a Christian Socialist who wrote significantly on the topics of political economy from that point of view. This article, similar in nature to his earlier works (viz. The Economics of Moses and The Economics of Jesus) discusses political economy administration.
Description
Three sons of George and Adaline Miller: Olnton (actually a combination of the Presidents Lincoln and Washington to form the name), Willard and Admer.
Description
This poor quality photo, contained in a scrap book provided by Mac Miller, is the only known photo of Ruskin Hall, the hotel/sportsmen's club that stood atop the Shell Point mound when George Miller arrived in the area in 1907. The Miller family first lived in this hotel and had an intention to create a new town in the vicinity, to be called Venoa. After realizing that the immediate surrounding lands could ill support agricultural he, along with the Dickman's, negotiated with Captain C. H. Davis of Wimauma to purchase 12,000 acres along the Little Manatee River which was platted into the town of Ruskin. Ruskin Hall, sometimes referred to as Ruskin Lodge, burned to the ground in 1918. Not long after the shell that comprised the mound was carted off to help pave Shell Point Road, thus destroying this important archeological site.
Description
A decade before the premier of Cross and Sword, which eventually became Florida's Official State Play, the state had another big outdoor musical historical drama in operation. Voice In The Wind was produced at the Suncoast Theatre on US 41 in Ruskin, just south of Tampa.

Voice In The Wind ran from mid-March to mid-May in the mid-1950's, and, according to AAA, portrayed "the history of Florida, weaving the music and dance of the Spanish, English, Indians and Negroes into the legends of the area." This photo is of that play. It ran for only one year, 1956 Photo: Courtesy of Hillsborough County Public Library System
Description
This is a photo of the Ruskin Amphitheater built to house an outdoor drama Voices in Wind, 1956. The amphitheater stood south of College Avenue,and north of US 41, but exact location has not yet been determined. Photo Courtesy of the Hillsborough County Public Library System
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Photo of shopping area in downtown Ruskin, 1950s. Photo: courtesy of HIllsborough County Public Library System
Description
In the 1940s and 1950s, at the end of Shell Point Road, stood the Shell Point Recreation complex, very popular with local residents. In its earlier days, two docks, a swimming pool and a skating rink were on the property along with a restaurant and bar. Waterside cottages (not pictured) were on the site as well. Today, the Shell Point Marina occupies the spot. This land is historically very important as it is believed to be the location of a large native mound, that was the center piece of small native town peopled by the Uzita. Hernando de Soto likely saw this mound on his entry into the Bay and targeted it for his first incursion into what is now South Hillsborough County. While in some dispute, de Soto's landing spot was near Piney Point where he off loaded his troops and marched them north, crossing the Little Manatee River at approximately the site of Camp Bayou today, before marching back to the bay to capture the native village (which had been abandoned.) De Soto's likely first encampment was at this site. The site is also historically relevant as a sportsmen's hotel was built on the mound in the early part of the 20th Century. It was at this site that George Miller and his family first stayed when they arrived in the area in 1907. His initial intent was to establish a town that he called Venoa on the site but determined a larger, more farmable spot was necessary. From here he bought the 12,000 acres (along with his brother's in law, the Dickman's, to establish the colony of Ruskin.
Description
Early photo of Ruskin school. C. 1910. This is either the first or second building built by early Ruskin colonists. The school accepted students not only from the Colony members but also from "Up the Creek" families in the nearby area. (Photo: appears to be from Joni Maschek collection.)