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"Jolly Dolly" the Ossified Girl
Title
"Jolly Dolly" the Ossified Girl.
Abstract/Description
Dolly Reagan (AKA Jolly Dolly, The Ossified Girl, was born in Saskatoon, Canada in 1919. She began her sideshow career in the early 1940s. She could neither stand nor walk. However, she had command of a few fingers, which helped her control an electric wheelchair. She suffered from Muscular Dystrophy and ankylosis which kept her body rigid. She married three times (a juggler, a ride foreman, and a sideshow manager/magician.). She died in 1994.
Identifier
HCC0101GIB051
Format
Image (JPEG)
Al and Jeannie Tomaini
Title
Al and Jeannie Tomaini.
Abstract/Description
Al (Aurelio) Tomaini (1912 - 1962) claimed a height of 8’4” and billed himself as ‘The Tallest Man in the World’. (His actual height was much shorter, at 7'4".) In 1936, at the Great Lakes Exposition, he met the woman who was to share his unique life, Berniece Evelyn Smith (1916 - 1999) who went by the stage name, Jeanie with twisted arms and without legs and billed as "The Living Half Girl." She ‘stood’ just over two feet in height and had been performing in exhibitions since the age of...
Show moreAl (Aurelio) Tomaini (1912 - 1962) claimed a height of 8’4” and billed himself as ‘The Tallest Man in the World’. (His actual height was much shorter, at 7'4".) In 1936, at the Great Lakes Exposition, he met the woman who was to share his unique life, Berniece Evelyn Smith (1916 - 1999) who went by the stage name, Jeanie with twisted arms and without legs and billed as "The Living Half Girl." She ‘stood’ just over two feet in height and had been performing in exhibitions since the age of three and was known for her acrobatic dexterity and the nimble way she ran about on her mildly deformed hands. The couple eloped during a fair in Cleveland in 1936 and went to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. Often billed as the "World's Strangest Married Couple", they settled in Gibsonton where they established a lodge and fishing camp known as ‘The Giant’s Camp’. Al served as the fire chef and president of the Chamber of Commerce. After Al's death, Jeanie continued to run Giant's Fish Camp and Restaurant until her death in 1999.
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Identifier
HCC0101GIB028
Format
Image (JPEG)
Al Tomaini
Title
Al Tomaini.
Abstract/Description
Al Tomaini with unknown Carnival Worker.
Identifier
HCC0101GIB29
Format
Image (JPEG)
Al Tomaini at Giant's Trailer Park
Title
Al Tomaini at Giant's Trailer Park.
Abstract/Description
Al Tomaini owned and operated Giant's Fish Camp, on US41, just south of the Alafia River, until his death in 1962. His wife, Jean, continued to operate the Fish Camp and Restaurant until her death in 1999. The camp was taken down after her death.
Identifier
HCC0101GIB022
Format
Image (JPEG)
Alafia River Bridge 1946
Title
Alafia River Bridge 1946.
Abstract/Description
Photo of Alafia River Bridge and Railroad Bridge at Gibsonton. Facing NE. Photo taken from the Alafia River Bridge. Public domain. Image may be used with the credit line: "."
Identifier
HCC0101GIB033
Format
Image (JPEG)
Alafia River Navigation Channel
Title
Alafia River Navigation Channel.
Abstract/Description
River navigation channel at Alafia River bridge, at Gibsonton, view to west: Hillsborough County, Fla.
Identifier
HCC0101GIB034
Format
Image (JPEG)
Atlantic Coast RR Line Crossing in Gibsonton
Title
Atlantic Coast RR Line Crossing in Gibsonton.
Abstract/Description
Railroad crossing, looking east, of the Atlantic Coast RR line in Gibsonton, Florida. Compare with 1948 aerial view of Gibsonton. This 1950 view is NOT likely at today's Gibsonton Drive, but is at another east/west link to US 541, which became US41.
Identifier
HCC0101GIB035
Format
Image (JPEG)
Boat Docks at Giant's Fish Camp: Al Tomaini and Caspar Balsam
Title
Boat Docks at Giant's Fish Camp: Al Tomaini and Caspar Balsam.
Abstract/Description
Pictured are giant, Al Tomaini and midget, Colonel Casper Balsam on boats at Giants Camp, just south of the Alafia River Bridge (pictured in the background.) Tomaini, billed as being over 8 feet tall, was one of the first side show people to live in Gibsonton and opened the popular Giant's Fish Camp. Balsam, who once played a Munchkin on The Wizard of Oz, was billed as being slightly over 3 feet tall. The reverse of this undated photograph, indicates that Colonel Casper also served as a...
Show morePictured are giant, Al Tomaini and midget, Colonel Casper Balsam on boats at Giants Camp, just south of the Alafia River Bridge (pictured in the background.) Tomaini, billed as being over 8 feet tall, was one of the first side show people to live in Gibsonton and opened the popular Giant's Fish Camp. Balsam, who once played a Munchkin on The Wizard of Oz, was billed as being slightly over 3 feet tall. The reverse of this undated photograph, indicates that Colonel Casper also served as a deputy police chief for the town, although that should be confirmed. Photo used with Permission of International Independent Showman's Museum.
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Identifier
HCC0101GIB045
Format
Set of related objects
Building First Bridge Across Bullfrog Creek 1920
Title
Building First Bridge Across Bullfrog Creek 1920.
Abstract/Description
Photo (from collected writings of Joni Maschek) showing Lewis Symmes and two other men building first bridge across Bullfrog Creek. The exact location of this bridge is not clear, and most likely would have been across the creek closer to the Symmes' properties near present day Big Bend Road. The road that would eventually become US 41 would have had to span a much larger body of water.
Identifier
HCC0101GIB055
Format
Image (JPEG)
Eddie LaMay - 1939
Title
Eddie LaMay - 1939.
Abstract/Description
Eddie and Grace LaMay ran a carnival cookhouse in the 1920s. One fall day, according to the story told at the Showman's Museum, the couple stopped their trailer by the Alafia River, in the sleepy village of Gibsonton, for what they thought would be an hour's rest. Eddie cast a fishing line in the water and immediately caught several fish for dinner that night. Moments later a group of locals came walking toward the trailer and the couple figured this would be the end of their stay. But the...
Show moreEddie and Grace LaMay ran a carnival cookhouse in the 1920s. One fall day, according to the story told at the Showman's Museum, the couple stopped their trailer by the Alafia River, in the sleepy village of Gibsonton, for what they thought would be an hour's rest. Eddie cast a fishing line in the water and immediately caught several fish for dinner that night. Moments later a group of locals came walking toward the trailer and the couple figured this would be the end of their stay. But the townspeople greeted them warmly and ever since, Gibsonton has been a gathering place for local show people. Pictured is Eddie at his restaurant, Eddie's Hut, in 1939, located on what is today US 41, in Gibsonton, slightly north of the today's Gibsonton Road. Photo used with Permission of International Independent Showman's Museum.
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Identifier
HCC0101GIB032
Format
Image (JPEG2000)
Eddie's Hut: Aerial View
Title
Eddie's Hut: Aerial View.
Abstract/Description
Aerial View of Eddie's Hut taken in 1948. The restaurant lay along today's US 41 on the West Side at the intersection with today's Gibsonton Drive. Operated by carnival concessionaire, and first carnival resident, Eddie LeMay and his wife Grace. Photo used with permission from Independent International Showman's Museum.
Identifier
HCC0101GIB049
Format
Set of related objects
Fire Chief: Al Tomaini and Crew
Title
Fire Chief: Al Tomaini and Crew.
Abstract/Description
Al Tomaini as Fire Chief with members of his department. Permission for photo from the Independent Showman's Museum
Identifier
HCC0101GIB046
Format
Set of related objects
Gardenville School - 1926
Title
Gardenville School - 1926.
Abstract/Description
Photograph of 1926 school building in Gibsonton Florida. (Gardenville School)
Identifier
HCC0101GIB026
Format
Image (JPEG)
Giant's Camp and Restaurant
Title
Giant's Camp and Restaurant.
Abstract/Description
Giant's Fish camp, owned by Al and Jeanie Tomaini, stood just south of the Alafia River, on US 41 (west side). The restaurant and camp continued to operate until 1999, and closed after the death of Jeanie.
Identifier
HCC0101GIB030
Format
Image (JPEG)
Giant's Fish Camp
Title
Giant's Fish Camp.
Abstract/Description
Moved to pending to discuss copyright issues. great photo that is credited to TBO.com (Tribune File Photo). Location of photo is here: https://www.tbo.com/brandon/mosaic-begins-restoration-near-giants-fish-camp-20131106/. Giant's Fish Camp, owned and operated by carnival giant, Al Tomaini.
Identifier
gibtown002
Format
Image (JPEG)
Giant's Motel Entry on US 41
Title
Giant's Motel Entry on US 41.
Abstract/Description
Entry sign to Gian'ts Motel on US 41 in Gibsonton. Owned by Al and Jeannie Tomaini.
Identifier
HCC0101RUS327
Format
Image (JPEG)
Gibsonton
Title
Gibsonton.
Abstract/Description
This document, in the public domain, was prepared by the Hillsborough County Historic Resources Survey Report, and includes an overview on the founding and history of Gibsonton, including the towns of Gibsonton, Adamsville, Gardenville, Garden City, Florida Gardenlands and Remlap, all assumed into Gibsonton proper. Identifies the town father as James Gibson, Senior.
Identifier
HCC0101GIB036
Format
Document (PDF)
Gibsonton Bridge - 1953
Title
Gibsonton Bridge - 1953.
Abstract/Description
Photo of Gibsonton Bridge in 1953.
Identifier
HCC0101GIB001
Format
Image (JPEG)
Jeannie Tomaini at Giant's Fish Camp
Title
Jeannie Tomaini at Giant's Fish Camp.
Abstract/Description
Jeannie Tomaini continued to manage Giant's Fish Camp for many years following Al's death. This picture is of Jeannie at the Camp.
Identifier
HCC0101GIB037
Format
Image (JPEG)
Map of Gardenville Resort and Town
Title
Map of Gardenville Resort and Town.
Abstract/Description
Gardenville was the name of a planned resort and community planned for the mouth of Bullfrog Creek The following is an excerpt of an article by Historian Charles Nelson (Affiliate of HCC Ruskin on the South Shore history project) which was published in the Osprey Observer on October 8, 2019) Gardenville and "The Roosevelt River [are] the 1910 marketing creations of Tampa realtor W. D. Davis. He informally renamed Bullfrog Creek in an attempt to bolster real estate sales in his two new...
Show moreGardenville was the name of a planned resort and community planned for the mouth of Bullfrog Creek The following is an excerpt of an article by Historian Charles Nelson (Affiliate of HCC Ruskin on the South Shore history project) which was published in the Osprey Observer on October 8, 2019) Gardenville and "The Roosevelt River [are] the 1910 marketing creations of Tampa realtor W. D. Davis. He informally renamed Bullfrog Creek in an attempt to bolster real estate sales in his two new subdivisions located where the ‘river’ empties into Hillsborough Bay. Although the Roosevelt River name did appear in land sale documents, it never popularly caught on and faded into history. More lasting was the name, Gardenville, a town established in 1912, which included those subdivisions. But today, even the name of Gardenville has all but disappeared. The small village was ultimately swept into the town of Gibsonton, which got its start in 1923 when James. B. Gibson created the suburb of Gibsonton-on-the-Bay on the south side of the Alafia River. The Gardenville name survives as the site of a local park on Symmes Rd. in Gibsonton and includes the park’s restored 1926 Gardenville School, which houses Hillsborough County’s Aging Services facility.
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Identifier
HCC0101GIB052
Format
Image (JPEG)

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