Norvell Bryant Highway from Hernando to Crystal River and Bryant Park in Inverness

At the age of 16, Norvell Cullen Bryant began work with a phosphate crew in Florida. After graduating from the Hammel Business University in Akron, Ohio, he volunteered for service in World War I. Records show he was discharged from service in DeLand in 1918. He began a profession in life insurance and obtained an Estate Brokers license in 1925 which enabled him to open a general insurance and real estate brokerage office in Tampa.

Norvell Cullen Bryant at young age - Norvell Bryant Highway Bryant Park 3 — Photo courtesy of Citrus County Archives and Special Collections

Photo courtesy of Citrus County Archives and Special Collections

Bryant purchased 1,200 acres in Hernando to raise cattle. He also acquired 110 acres of land in Inverness, which he developed into what is now Inverness Heights.

The original layout of the subdivion covered about six blocks or so. In August 1958, Bryant addressed the City Council advising that he wanted a park included in the plans. On April 26, 1963, the plans were revised and included 16 blocks with three lots reserved for commercial property and an area for a park, which was named Bryant Park.

Bryant was in the real estate business for more than 50 years and earned the accomplishments of president of the Hernando Civic Club, member of the Hernando Lions Club, director of the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, Chamber president, and president of the West Coast Realtor’s Association. Bryant was also on the board of advisors for the Withlacoochee Technical Institute (now Withlacoochee Technical College).

Rotarians Bryant Park — Shown at Bryant Park, front row from left are Rotary Club of Inverness President Mike Hall, Rotary Project Chair Lace Blue-McLean, Sue Fogarty, Karen Aultman, Linda Liebert-Hall, Paul Perregaux, City Facilities Operations Manager Betty Pleacher, City Public Works Director Scott McCulloch, and City Park Manager Ron Hodges. Seated row from left are Maria Nuñez, Sally Long and Brandie Ballard. Back row from left are Rotary District Governor Eloy Nuñez, Katie Myers, Inverness City Councilman and Rotarian David Ryan, Rotary President-Elect Drew Benefield, City of Inverness Manager Frank DiGiovanni and Assistant City Director Eric Williams.
Special to the Chronicle

Shown at Bryant Park, front row from left are Rotary Club of Inverness President Mike Hall, Rotary Project Chair Lace Blue-McLean, Sue Fogarty, Karen Aultman, Linda Liebert-Hall, Paul Perregaux, City Facilities Operations Manager Betty Pleacher, City Public Works Director Scott McCulloch, and City Park Manager Ron Hodges. Seated row from left are Maria Nuñez, Sally Long and Brandie Ballard. Back row from left are Rotary District Governor Eloy Nuñez, Katie Myers, Inverness City Councilman and Rotarian David Ryan, Rotary President-Elect Drew Benefield, City of Inverness Manager Frank DiGiovanni and Assistant City Director Eric Williams.
Special to the Chronicle

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