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Tampa • Formerly Wells Park • First Home 1950

Wellswood

Wellswood, Let the Peacocks Fly, A Wellswood 4th of July Anthem — album cover with a vivid peacock on a brick wall before a Wellswood ranch-home street at sunset, the downtown Tampa skyline, an American flag, fireworks, the Wellswood Civic Center Est. 1949, school signs for Tampa Catholic High School, Bishop Eaton School, and Mendenhall Elementary, and street signs for Wishart Blvd, N Darby, N Mendenhall, W Louisiana, Bellingrath, Alexander, N Bask, and N Armenia. Tagline: Our History, Our Streets, Our Schools, Our Community, Our Pride.

♪ Wellswood, Let the Peacocks Fly

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🏠 Get involved: Wellswood Civic Association

This Fourth of July, Wellswood has more to celebrate than fireworks. It has a story of open land becoming a neighborhood, returning soldiers finding homes, families growing roots, children learning in local schools, and a community that has kept its personality through generations of change.

The new neighborhood anthem, "Wellswood, Let the Peacocks Fly," celebrates that story with a big crowd chorus, hometown pride, and one of Wellswood's most recognizable symbols: the peacocks that have become part of the neighborhood's character.

A Postwar Neighborhood Built for New Beginnings

Wellswood began as part of a large tract of land connected to the Wells family. What had once been dairy-farm land became the foundation for one of Tampa's earliest post-World War II suburbs. The neighborhood was originally known as Wells Park, but the name evolved into Wellswood because of the mature pine and oak trees that shaped the area's natural landscape.

The first home was built in 1950, during a period when Tampa was growing quickly and returning soldiers were looking for affordable places to start the next chapter of their lives. Wellswood offered something many families wanted: solid homes, room to grow, familiar neighbors, and a central location close to the city while still feeling like its own community. The result was a neighborhood full of ranch-style homes, bungalows, Spanish Mission-inspired houses, front yards, and long-standing family connections.

Wishart Boulevard and the People Who Helped Shape Wellswood

The story of Wellswood is closely tied to the Wells and Wishart families. James Wishart and Edna Wells Wishart helped shape the neighborhood's early civic life. In 1949, they deeded the historic Wellswood Civic Center, creating a gathering place for residents before much of the neighborhood's residential development had fully taken shape.

That Civic Center remains a reminder that Wellswood was never just about houses. It was always about community. A place where neighbors can meet, families can celebrate, community events can happen, and people can come together to protect the character of the neighborhood they love. Wishart Boulevard continues to be one of the most recognizable roads in Wellswood, connecting the neighborhood's past to the people who call it home today.

Streets That Tell the Wellswood Story

Wellswood's streets are where the neighborhood's history is lived every day. From Wishart Boulevard to North Darby Avenue, from North Mendenhall Drive to West Louisiana Avenue, the blocks of Wellswood are full of homes that have sheltered generations of residents.

Bellingrath Drive, Alexander Road, North Bask Drive, North Armenia Avenue, and West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard all help define the routes residents travel to school, work, parks, family gatherings, and downtown Tampa. With the Hillsborough River to the east and major Tampa corridors nearby, Wellswood is centrally located while still maintaining a distinct neighborhood identity. It is close enough to the city's movement to stay connected, but rooted enough to still feel personal.

Schools That Help Raise the Next Generation

Wellswood is also shaped by the schools that serve its families and help prepare the next generation. At Tampa Catholic High School, students, families, alumni, teachers, and supporters gather around academics, athletics, faith, and school pride. Its presence adds another layer of tradition to the area.

Bishop Eaton School plays an important role in helping young students learn, grow, and develop values that extend beyond the classroom. At Mendenhall Elementary School, children begin building the foundation for their futures close to home. For many families, neighborhood schools are where friendships begin, teachers become mentors, and community connections grow stronger. Together, these schools help make Wellswood a place where family life and education stay closely connected.

The Peacocks of Wellswood

Ask longtime residents what makes Wellswood different, and the peacocks are likely to come up. For decades, free-roaming peacocks have been part of the neighborhood's identity. Their calls, bright feathers, and occasional appearances in front yards or along neighborhood streets have made them a symbol of Wellswood's one-of-a-kind personality.

They are a reminder that this community has always had a little bit of wild beauty mixed into its everyday life. The peacocks are part of the reason the anthem's main chant feels so fitting: "Wellswood, let the peacocks fly!"

A Fourth of July Anthem for Wellswood

"Wellswood, Let the Peacocks Fly" is a song for the people who built the neighborhood, the families who stayed, and the new neighbors who are adding to its next chapter. It honors the dairy-farm origins, the postwar homes, the civic leaders, the neighborhood schools, the tree-lined streets, and the pride residents feel when they say they are from Wellswood.

This Fourth of July, when the flags come out and the fireworks begin, the message is simple: Wellswood stands up proud. From Wishart Boulevard to the river blue, this neighborhood is home to you. Let the peacocks fly. Let the fireworks rise. Let Wellswood light up the night. 🇺🇸

Lyrics — Wellswood, Let the Peacocks Fly
[Intro – Crowd Chant] Hey! Hey! Hey! WELLSWOOD! Hey! Hey! Hey! LET THE PEACOCKS FLY! From the river to Wishart Boulevard, From the oak trees to the Fourth of July— Wellswood, stand up proud! [Verse 1] Six hundred forty acres, open land and sky, The Wells family saw a place where dreams could rise. From dairy fields and wide old roads, A neighborhood began to grow. They called it Wells Park in those early days, Then the pine and oak trees showed the way. Wellswood became the name we know, A place where strong roots always grow. First homes came in nineteen-fifty, Built for soldiers coming home, Ranch homes, bungalows, porch lights shining, Giving families a place their own. [Pre-Chorus] From the fields— Crowd: To the homes! From the homes— Crowd: To the sky! Wellswood, Wellswood, It is our Fourth of July! [Chorus – Big Sing-Along] WELLSWOOD! LET THE PEACOCKS FLY! Raise your hands for the Fourth of July! From Wishart Boulevard to the river blue, This neighborhood is home to you! WELLSWOOD! STAND UP PROUD! Let the whole city hear us loud! Pine trees, oak trees, porch lights bright— Wellswood, light up the night! [Verse 2 – Streets of Wellswood] North Mendenhall, North Darby too, West Louisiana running through. Bellingrath, Alexander Road, Every block got stories told. North Bask Drive, where neighbors wave, Wishart curves through the homes we save. From Hillsborough down to MLK, Wellswood pride is here to stay. Armenia west and the river east, Five miles from downtown, but the love runs deep. From old front porches to tomorrow's view, There is no place like Wellswood for me and you. [Pre-Chorus] From the fields— Crowd: To the homes! From the homes— Crowd: To the sky! Wellswood, Wellswood, It is our Fourth of July! [Chorus] WELLSWOOD! LET THE PEACOCKS FLY! Raise your hands for the Fourth of July! From Wishart Boulevard to the river blue, This neighborhood is home to you! WELLSWOOD! STAND UP PROUD! Let the whole city hear us loud! Pine trees, oak trees, porch lights bright— Wellswood, light up the night! [Verse 3 – Schools and Community] At Tampa Catholic, hear the cheers rise high, Maroon and gold beneath the summer sky. Built on faith and strength, with the future in sight, Generations standing proud on a Friday night. At Bishop Eaton School, young hearts learn and grow, Learning how to lead and letting kindness show. At Mendenhall Elementary, every child can dream, Growing up in Wellswood means you are part of the team. James Wishart and Edna Wells, Helped make a place where neighbors meet. Since nineteen forty-nine, the Civic Center Has stayed the heart of every street. [Bridge – Call and Response] Lead: Who built these homes? Crowd: OUR FAMILIES DID! Lead: Who keeps it strong? Crowd: OUR NEIGHBORS LIVE! Lead: What do we shout when the fireworks fly? Crowd: WELLSWOOD, LET THE PEACOCKS FLY! Lead: From Tampa Catholic to Mendenhall, what do we say? Crowd: WELLSWOOD PRIDE, ALL THE WAY! The peacocks call through the neighborhood, Like they have for years and years. A little wild, a little wonderful, A sound that says, "We are here!" [Final Chorus – Repeat Twice] WELLSWOOD! LET THE PEACOCKS FLY! Raise your hands for the Fourth of July! From Wishart Boulevard to the river blue, This neighborhood is home to you! WELLSWOOD! STAND UP PROUD! Let the whole city hear us loud! From the dairy farm to the future bright— Wellswood, light up the night! [Outro – Crowd Chant] Wells! Wood! Let the peacocks fly! Wells! Wood! Fourth of July! Wishart! Darby! Light the sky! Tampa Catholic! Wellswood pride!