Dade City board launches plaque program, presents markers for Ward House and SysTruck house

The Dade City Historic Preservation Advisory Board on the evening it met announced a new plaque program and presented the first two plaques, honoring the Ward House and the historic home associated with Dr. Syszczak.

"So we're very excited that we have finally launched the plaque program," Miss Bashi said as she introduced the program and the two first recipients. The board presented a plaque for the Ward House, built in 1896 by James Ward, which was described in materials presented to the board as a contributing property to the Church Street Historic District and recently added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. "It is just gonna be such an honor to present this beautiful plaque to you," Miss Bashi told the home's owner, identified in the meeting as Mr. Monday.

The board also presented a plaque for the home on the northwest corner of Church Avenue and 14th Street, described in the packet as the former residence of pioneer physician Dr. Syszczak; meeting materials and public remarks credited Mr. and Mrs. Larkin with renovation work that preserved the home's original portion. Staff said applicants' plaque orders had been submitted to the manufacturer and that two plaques were ready for presentation that night.

Board members praised the homeowners and the volunteer efforts that helped produce the application packets. The presentations were framed as an early result of a longer-term preservation strategy the board is developing to recognize and protect locally significant properties.

The board did not take a formal policy vote on the plaque program at this meeting; staff said the program has received multiple applications and that plaques were being produced for installed recipients. The board indicated it will continue to review applications as they arrive and to work with owners on proper display and documentation.