History of Time Period
The time from 1900 until 1999 has seen Tallahassee come from a sleepy southern town to a bold and progressive metropolitan area. State Government is still the primary industry, but education plays a very important role in the city’s economy. The Florida State Flag as we know it today was ratified in 1900, the orange blossom was designated the State Flower in 1909, the Mockingbird was named State Bird in 1927, and since 1935 we’ve all sung Suwannee River with the special reverence of a State Song. A governor’s mansion was built in 1905 that one razed, and the present one built in 1957. The population of the state has grown by leaps and bounds and thus state government has grown to keep the pace.
Tallahassee is now the seat of learning for two major universities, a junior college, a vocational school, six tax supported high schools, and several private schools. Agriculture, timber, and cattle take an important seat in the economical structure of the community. Beauty still abounds. The people are aware and concerned about their heritage, they are friendly and still bear signs of the Southern charm read about in romantic novels … and the love affair continues.
20th Century Krewe Chief- Philip Hill
Phil Hill was born in Lock Haven Pennsylvania, and then moved to Indiana at a very early age. He remembers working on the local 4-H club float for the county fair. In the 60′s, his father transferred from the Indiana National Guard to the Active Reserves making Phil an official Army Brat. He moved to two different posts in Georgia. returned to Indiana for a year, then moved to Virginia where he finished high school. He returned to Indiana to attend Ball State University. While attending college he met his future wife, Norma Niehaus. The two were married and moved to Virginia for 18 years. The Hill’s returned to Indiana to be closer to family. The Hill’s have two daughters living in Indiana. Phil and Norma have two grandchildren.
Phil worked in construction for several years, and then worked at Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church Virginia. In Indiana he worked for Dialysis Affiliates and Surgicare. After his wife was transferred to Tallahassee in 2007, Phil has worked at both the High Magnetic Field Lab and Publix.
Both Phil and Norma are members of the local USCG Auxiliary Flotilla. Both are qualified boat crew members and Flotilla Staff Officers. Their first encounter with Springtime Tallahassee was attending the parade. Both were impressed by the floats and atmosphere. What a great spring event. Phil said that Springtime Tallahassee has been a great way to meet people from across Tallahassee. He is honored to serve as 20th Century Krewe Chief this year.