Ransom E. Olds at speed (for his day)

In 1913, Ransom Eli Olds purchased a little over 37,000 acres of land that nestled in all its old-country charm on the northern edge of Tampa Bay. At that time, there were only a handful of settlers living in this undeveloped, unincorporated area. Olds had already had monumental success with the production of the Oldsmobile, having built his first horseless carriage in 1887. He envisioned turning this untamed land into a sprawling, bustling metropolis.

The original name given to this grant was R. E. Olds-on-the-Bay. It was later changed to Oldsmar. In 1927 it was changed to Tampa Shores, and in 1937, in order to preserve its natural history, changed back to Oldsmar. But, whatever the name, Oldsmar still stands, proud of its picturesque and breathtaking view of the Bay, and still steeped in the woodlands that are indicative of the natural beauty of Florida.

The original settlers of Oldsmar battled with cisterns and a few natural wells for water, often having to strain the mosquito larvae through cheesecloth to make it usable. With the primitive modes of travel, shopping was a major excursion as the nearest stores were located in Tarpon Springs and Dunedin. However, Oldsmar's very location lent itself to growth and prosperity. No bridges existed, as yet, between Tampa and St. Petersburg and the only route between the two large and rapidly growing cities was Oldsmar's main street. Olds used this to his advantage and modeled his city after Washington, D. C., patterning it with the middle class in mind. Most of the city was paved with oyster shells, available in abundance from Tampa Bay.
 

Moonlight on Oldsmar Bay

Olds, in an attempt to draw business into his area, advertised in the newspapers of Detroit. His caption read, "Oldsmar for health, wealth and happiness." He added an enticement of cheap labor, but companies feared that its location would not be conducive to business. He drilled for oil, hitting only water. Legend has it that Olds poured oil into the well daily to make it appear that it was, in fact, rich with oil, thus hoping, once again, to be a draw to commerce. The well was eventually capped and now sits in what is Tampa Bay Downs, a horse-racing track of some renown.

Most of Olds' original plans for Oldsmar fell through. A golf course and luxury hotel never materialized. However, a foundry that made cast iron engines for tractors and grove heaters [smudge pots] became established and a mill, producing the Oldsmar Chair, similar to the Adirondack Chair and sold throughout the United States, kept the struggling city alive.

Olds finally provided financial backing for Kardell Tractor and Truck Company to move to Oldsmar. He renamed it Oldsmar Tractor Company. His purpose was two-fold: he wanted the industry in Oldsmar, but he was also hoping the company could come up with a machine that would cut through the impenetrable palmetto roots that blocked expansion.

Oldsmar thrived on its dairy and produce farms, fish, crabs and oysters from the Bay. And, at various times in history, a gambling casino and a rum-running operation during prohibition helped Oldsmar to flourish. However, each of these ventures were short lived and in 1921, Oldsmar was all but leveled by a devastating hurricane.

Olds realized that his dream of a city of 100,000 was not going to materialize. In 1923, the population of Oldsmar was still only about 200. Olds had lost over three million dollars on this venture, and he began to liquidate his assets.
 

Picnic on Oldsmar Bay, circa 1950

  A gold rush scam perpetrated by the new owner lent scandal to the tiny city. Gold was placed around with cries of having found it in the area. It was this that brought about the name change to Tampa Shores.

Oldsmar has survived hurricanes, scandal, traffic rerouted by the bridges constructed between Tampa and St. Petersburg and the Great Depression, and it still thrives, proud of its serene country charm and natural beauty. Although it has acquired fast food restaurants and strip malls, it still retains its sleepy, small-town flavor. Its current population is about 11,000 residents; certainly not the metropolis envisioned by its founder, Ransom Eli Olds, but the racetrack has kept it alive. Many of the horse owners who come for the races spend months in Oldsmar.

When contacted by a local television station, after the cessation of Oldsmobile production was announced, General Motors and Olds's living descendants stated they had never heard of Oldsmar. The only car dealership in Oldsmar sells Fords.
 

Ransom E. Olds in 1950, pointing to Oldsmar