The city was named after Henry Plant, who introduced railway lines to improve the transport system in Central and Western Florida.

The SAL tracks ran north and south and contained a Railway Express Agency loading dock.

Plant City Union Depot was converted into and renamed as the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum in September 2013 and is open to the public.

[7] It is named after Robert W. Willaford in honor of his contributions to this conversion project and his dedication towards trains.

[10] It was characterized as one of the largest railroad distribution stop and was ranked as the second busiest transportation hub in the state of Florida, Jacksonville being the first.

It was then attributed the title of historic monument and was under the control of the Plant City Art Council.

[15] Plant City union depot was restored numerous times with the support of multiple grants allotted, after being listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Robert W. Willaford is a retired locomotive engineer, best known in the community as Plant City’s railroad expert and for his passion towards train.

His unique passion led him to keep a train engine and caboose on display in his yard for many years.

He was contacted by the City Commissioner Mike Sparkman and told to make some donations in regards to trains.

He amassed and salvaged this collection from scrap yards coming from Miami, Georgia, Baltimore, Ohio, Vermont.

Plant City's depot is bigger than that of Georgia's as it has a 14- foot tower and a lower deck platform.

During the event, train-themed films are projected, free-museum admission is granted, scavenger hunts are organized, tours of the caboose are available and access to miniature train rides are arranged for visitors to enjoy.