Franklin C. Armstrong was a director of the Independent Line of Steamships circa 1890, and his deep-water pier at this site loaded all area citrus and vegetable produce for Tampa markets. At the pier base on pilings stood his large store and office building. The upland 7.5 acres, the Leenard Place, predated to the era of Madam Joe Atzroth. Later, as a director of the Seaboard Airline Railroad, he constructed the first large packinghouse and depot on east Terra Ceia, spawning 8 others. Daily shipments went to his agents in New York and Philadelphia. His support aided many starting farmers, and he became the largest freeholder in Manatee Co.