Born in Tampa in 1845 Meroba Hooker lived a life full of loss and remarkable resilience. The Meroba Hooker Crane bust stands as a testament to her enduring spirit. This bronze likeness captures a woman who navigated tragedy with strength and shaped her community.
Meroba’s story begins with her family’s arrival in Tampa in 1842. Her father William Brinton Hooker a cattleman and perhaps the planter of Florida’s first China oranges benefited from the Armed Occupation Act. He owned slaves and employed a private tutor for his eleven children. Meroba’s mother Mary Amanda Hair Hooker died during the Civil War. This left Meroba and her siblings vulnerable.
At just fifteen Meroba married Simon Turman Jr. Tragedy struck again when Simon died in the Civil War. Within a year Meroba lost her mother her mother-in-law and her husband. A young widow with a child she faced unimaginable grief.
Yet Meroba persevered. Her father gifted her the Orange Grove Hotel in 1867. This large mansion once intended as a family home became a thriving hotel. The hotel served as the southernmost point for stagecoach lines. It even survived the transition to railroads and the opening of the grand Tampa Bay Hotel. Meroba ran the hotel with her second husband Judge Henry Lafayette Crane. She hosted notable guests including the Plants at the grand opening of the Tampa Bay Hotel.
Meroba’s influence extended beyond the hotel. She became president of the Ladies Memorial Society. This society played a crucial role in preserving Oaklawn Cemetery. This cemetery holds the graves of many of Meroba’s family members including her sister Nancy who died young. Meroba’s dedication to Oaklawn Cemetery a crucial part of Tampa’s history reflects her strength and commitment to her community.
The Meroba Hooker Crane bust honors a woman who endured incredible loss. She built a life of purpose and contributed significantly to Tampa’s development. Her story is one of perseverance resilience and remarkable strength. It is a story well worth remembering.