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Putnal Family Groves Through the Years

Putnal Groves has a rich history that goes back four generations. In the early 1900's, Marshal Lee Putnal moved with his family from Georgia to Mayo, Florida. After several moves in search of land, the Putnal family settled near present day Myakka City in 1919, where they established what is now Putnal Groves. Marshal Lee began planting orange trees on the forty acres known as "the hill" because this land has the highest elevation of any owned by the Putnal's, and is one of highest points in Sarasota county. Shortly after, Marshal Lee Married Emily Russ and moved a few miles away from the forty acres after buying 35 acres from Emily's mother. The couple grew vegtables on the 35 acres, and began buying surrounding land and planting citrus trees on the land cleared for the vegtables. Marshal Lee and Emily at first made their living by selling vegtables to nearby grocery stores.

Russ with Grapefruit tree

Marshal Lee and Emily's son, Russ, was born in 1946. Russ Remembers the old wooden porch of the first family home, and taking baths in a wash tub near the pitcher pump close to the house. Russ graduated in 1969 from the University of Florida and went into the Navy. After returning from the Navy, Russ managed Putnal Groves with his father. By the 1960's, Citrus became a profitable business, and Putnal Groves flourished. The Family continued to buy land and plant citrus through the years. Putnal Groves has now expanded into nearly one thousand acres and has branched out into a cattle and sod business as well. The business is now owned and managed by Russ Putnal and his children-- Zach Putnal and Dixie Nesland.


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