Historical Society celebrates 50th year of Highland House Museum
Lead Summary
By
Pamela Nickell-
This is the 31st article in a series from the Highland County Historical Society featuring members of the Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame and recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Highland House Museum.
Starley M. White
1885-1973
Starley White was one of the great mechanical minds of his time who used his genius to invent and manufacture and to develop the National Bank of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Born and raised in Highland County, he learned the machinist trade at the Gross Fiebel Company in Hillsboro.
White’s early career in Arkansas and Indiana was devoted to creating specialized foot and check valves, with White Machine Works and later with Strataflo.
Among his early customers was the United States Navy, which purchased his valves for submarines.
Strataflo valves were popular with pump manufacturers and professionals in the well industry in the 1940s and ’50s.
Strataflo Products, Inc. still operates today in Fort Wayne, Ind.
In later years, White led the creation of the National Bank of St. Petersburg, Fla., where he was chairman of the board.
As part of that project, he designed and created the famed White Gardens of St. Petersburg.
Starley White used his early training in Highland County to become a renowned businessman and benefactor.
Starley M. White
1885-1973
Starley White was one of the great mechanical minds of his time who used his genius to invent and manufacture and to develop the National Bank of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Born and raised in Highland County, he learned the machinist trade at the Gross Fiebel Company in Hillsboro.
White’s early career in Arkansas and Indiana was devoted to creating specialized foot and check valves, with White Machine Works and later with Strataflo.
Among his early customers was the United States Navy, which purchased his valves for submarines.
Strataflo valves were popular with pump manufacturers and professionals in the well industry in the 1940s and ’50s.
Strataflo Products, Inc. still operates today in Fort Wayne, Ind.
In later years, White led the creation of the National Bank of St. Petersburg, Fla., where he was chairman of the board.
As part of that project, he designed and created the famed White Gardens of St. Petersburg.
Starley White used his early training in Highland County to become a renowned businessman and benefactor.