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The community grew so quietly and was so hedged by citrus grove that it was virtually unknown.

The Dansville neighborhood is a 68-acre residential area located just north of where Ulmerton Road curves into Walsingham Road. It is part of a larger community known today as the Greater Ridgecrest Area. The Dansville neighborhood is primarily residential, with single-family houses, a few businesses, three churches and a youth center. Dan Henry, a sharecropper from Georgia, founded Dansville. His grandson, David Baldwin, and granddaughters Tameka Baldwin and Therese Baldwin, still live in the community.
 
Mykerra Branch, 13, holds the door for John Hill, center, and Lawrence Britt, right, while attending a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday March 18, 2018 in Dansville.
Mykerra Branch, 13, holds the door for John Hill, center, and Lawrence Britt, right, while attending a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday March 18, 2018 in Dansville.
By
  • Douglas R. CliffordTampa Bay Times
Published May 8, 2018|Updated May 16, 2018
Times file photo Deacon J. W. Williams grocery store and residents. The store was adjacent to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.
Times file photo Deacon J. W. Williams grocery store and residents. The store was adjacent to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.
Times file photo During the Depression, two brothers began buying chunks of land next to the citrus groves where they worked. Through the years, the property expanded and developed into neighborhoods part of what is now known as the Greater Ridgecrest Area. The community grew so quietly and was so hedged by citrus groves that it was virtually unknown.
Times file photo During the Depression, two brothers began buying chunks of land next to the citrus groves where they worked. Through the years, the property expanded and developed into neighborhoods part of what is now known as the Greater Ridgecrest Area. The community grew so quietly and was so hedged by citrus groves that it was virtually unknown.
Times file photo During the Depression, two brothers began buying chunks of land next to the citrus groves where they worked. Through the years, the property expanded and developed into neighborhoods part of what is now known as the Greater Ridgecrest Area. The community grew so quietly and was so hedged by citrus groves that it was virtually unknown.
Times file photo During the Depression, two brothers began buying chunks of land next to the citrus groves where they worked. Through the years, the property expanded and developed into neighborhoods part of what is now known as the Greater Ridgecrest Area. The community grew so quietly and was so hedged by citrus groves that it was virtually unknown.
Deacon Marshall Walker-El parks his car before attending a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday March 18, 2018 in Dansville.
Deacon Marshall Walker-El parks his car before attending a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday March 18, 2018 in Dansville.
The Rev. Jerry Booker, center, anoints trustee Clarence Jamison, center, while deacon Ellery Moreland wipes tears from his face, at right, while attending a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.
The Rev. Jerry Booker, center, anoints trustee Clarence Jamison, center, while deacon Ellery Moreland wipes tears from his face, at right, while attending a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.
Mary Ann Johnson, left, reads scripture with Valerie Johnson while attending a service.
Mary Ann Johnson, left, reads scripture with Valerie Johnson while attending a service.
From left: Chileta Massey, Afarrah Morris and Alfred Morris, visit while attending a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.
From left: Chileta Massey, Afarrah Morris and Alfred Morris, visit while attending a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.
Eunice Collins, left, and Mary Ann Johnson share a hug at at the conclusion of Sunday's service.
Eunice Collins, left, and Mary Ann Johnson share a hug at at the conclusion of Sunday's service.
David Baldwin stands in front of his mother's home in Dansville.
David Baldwin stands in front of his mother's home in Dansville.
Ronald Massey washes an ATV outside the home of long-time Dansville resident Leroy McDuffy in Dansville.
Ronald Massey washes an ATV outside the home of long-time Dansville resident Leroy McDuffy in Dansville.
Eddie Floyd, left, prepares a smoker for batches of chicken and ribs on Sunday in Dansville. At right is Eddie's friend, Leroy McDuffy.
Eddie Floyd, left, prepares a smoker for batches of chicken and ribs on Sunday in Dansville. At right is Eddie's friend, Leroy McDuffy.
A boy rides a bicycle recently in the Dansville neighborhood, a 68-acre residential area located just north of Ulmerton Road unincorporated Pinellas County.
A boy rides a bicycle recently in the Dansville neighborhood, a 68-acre residential area located just north of Ulmerton Road unincorporated Pinellas County.
Jimmie Love, 59, shares a laugh with his wife, Fonda Love, 58, background, at their home on Sunday in Dansville.
Jimmie Love, 59, shares a laugh with his wife, Fonda Love, 58, background, at their home on Sunday in Dansville.
Jimmie Love, 59, walks through the back yard of his home on Sunday in Dansville where he works on cars and keeps several garden boxes.
Jimmie Love, 59, walks through the back yard of his home on Sunday in Dansville where he works on cars and keeps several garden boxes.
People gather outside of Nanny's Kitchen on Wheels, where residents often go on Saturdays for a helping of "soul food" in Dansville.
People gather outside of Nanny's Kitchen on Wheels, where residents often go on Saturdays for a helping of "soul food" in Dansville.
Tameka Baldwin, 37, left, says a prayer at dinner while sharing a home-made stew at their home with her son Rafael Oriano, 15, right, at their home in Dansville.
Tameka Baldwin, 37, left, says a prayer at dinner while sharing a home-made stew at their home with her son Rafael Oriano, 15, right, at their home in Dansville.
Solomon Davis, 83, left, applies a shave to customer James Robinson, 71, at his barber shop, the Hair Authority, on Saturday April 7, 2018 in Dansville.
Solomon Davis, 83, left, applies a shave to customer James Robinson, 71, at his barber shop, the Hair Authority, on Saturday April 7, 2018 in Dansville.
From left: Deacon Ellery Moreland shakes hands with deacon Barry Mack, left, while Annie Hill, Mamie Moreland, John Hill and Rose Harris prepare to attend a church service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday in Dansville.
From left: Deacon Ellery Moreland shakes hands with deacon Barry Mack, left, while Annie Hill, Mamie Moreland, John Hill and Rose Harris prepare to attend a church service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday in Dansville.
Annie Hill, 84, attends a church service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday in Dansville.
Annie Hill, 84, attends a church service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday in Dansville.
Deacons, from left, James Robinson, Will Norton and Sam Martin observe a prayer while attending a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday in Dansville.
Deacons, from left, James Robinson, Will Norton and Sam Martin observe a prayer while attending a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday in Dansville.
Members of the Dansville community attend a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday in Dansville.
Members of the Dansville community attend a service at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday in Dansville.
Picture courtesy of David Baldwin Dan Henry, a sharecropper from Georgia, founded Dansville, a 68-acre neighborhood south of Largo. His grandson, David Baldwin, and granddaughters Tameka Baldwin and Therese Baldwin still live in the community.
Picture courtesy of David Baldwin Dan Henry, a sharecropper from Georgia, founded Dansville, a 68-acre neighborhood south of Largo. His grandson, David Baldwin, and granddaughters Tameka Baldwin and Therese Baldwin still live in the community.


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