USDA Subtropical Horticulture Research Station (Chapman Field)

federal plant introduction and research station · Palmetto Bay

Founded

1923

Community

Palmetto Bay · municipality

Status as of 11 September 2026

operating

Historical state

pre Andrew

Connections

4 edges, 4 distinct neighbours · betweenness 0.006 (rank 60 of 371) · moves and capital only 0.000 (rank 34)

Confidence

High · sources: [A23], [A24] (register)

The USDA moves its plant introduction work in 1923 to 200 acres of the former First World War army airfield Chapman Field between SW 136th Street and Deering Bay Drive, a site chosen with David Fairchild for tropical plant introduction. The station adds market quality research in 1956 and a commodity treatment group in 1968, and holds a National Plant Germplasm System collection from 1980. The station traces its origins to a 1898 garden near Brickell Avenue.

Connections

Moves, founders, developers

• founded byDavid FairchildLocates the plant introduction station at Chapman Field1923

Lineage

• spawnedChapman Field Parkcounty park created on surplus airfield land beside the 1923 USDA garden1949

Plans, funding, partners

• partnerUF IFAS Tropical Research and Education CenterFederal and state research stations for subtropical crops1929 to present

Influence

• shaped byCharles DeeringDeering's Buena Vista donation hosts the USDA garden before the move to Chapman Field1914 to 1923

Located

• located inPalmetto BayOld Cutler Road at SW 136th Street, the northern edge of the frame1923 to present