The Florence Villa Training School for Negroes replaced an earlier African-American school built in 1916 on the corner of 2nd and Palmetto Street. By 1922 the first school was in disrepair and classes were held at the Colored Methodist Episcopal . . . — — Map (db m93191) HM
Polk County was established February 8, 1861 formed from eastern Hillsborough County and western Brevard County and comprised one of two counties created after the state's secession from the union. Polk County was named after James Knox Polk the . . . — — Map (db m54003) HM
One mile north of here, a stockade type depot was erected by a detail of the 7th Infantry, U.S.A. while on a march to the Kissimmee River. Built Jan. 22, 1841, it was named in honor of Sergeant-Major Francis Carroll who suffered a hero’s death at . . . — — Map (db m95179) HM
At Florida Southern College is located the largest collection of buildings on one site ever created by Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America's foremost architects. Wright's plan for the campus is the only tangible example of his community planning . . . — — Map (db m13632) HM
Private James H. Mills
Company F 15th Infantry
United States Army
May 3, 1923 - November 11, 1973
★ ★
Medal of Honor
For Conspicuous Gallantry
May 24, 1944
Cisterna Di Littoria, Italy
The . . . — — Map (db m197294) WM
Side 1
Union Academy was the fulfillment of the dream of local African American pioneers seeking to advance the moral and cultural welfare of young people through education. By the 1870s, west Bartow's First Providence Missionary Baptist . . . — — Map (db m146231) HM
On Kissimmee River sixteen miles northeast of Lake Wales government trail leading to fort crosses highway between Gum Lakes. Lake Rosalee, where Seminole Indians stopped before moving to Everglades, is near this trail. — — Map (db m233384) HM
Austin Craig Welch,
who died attempting to save
Crystal E. Droz from drowning.
Bartow, Fl.
September 3, 2016
"Our hero, Our protector"
"I got this!" — — Map (db m123549) HM
Approximately 1½ miles west of here near the shore of Lake Alfred is the site of
Fort Cummings
Named for Col. Alexander Cummings of the Fourth Infantry. Established January 22, 1839 and occupied by detachments of the . . . — — Map (db m117191) HM
During the early 1900s, this area’s long leaf and slash pine forests were home to several small turpentine and timber communities. One such town was Sumica, located approximately two miles south of this location. The name “Sumica” is an . . . — — Map (db m112124) HM
Dedicated to those men and women who served in the armed forces of the United States of America during the Second World War. We honor those Twentieth Century Americans who took up a great struggle and made the sacrifices to perpetuate the gift our . . . — — Map (db m193517) WM
Pughsville was one of Winter Haven's earliest neighborhoods, populated predominately by African Americans. These individuals cleared land and settled in what is now the southwest section of the city. For many decades, Pughsville remained a vibrant . . . — — Map (db m24588) HM
The shore of Lake Hancock was home to this region's first settlers. In 1949, Al and Betty Bellotto bought a portion of this property and founded the Cattle B Bar Ranch. Their success in the citrus and cattle industries and desire to conserve open . . . — — Map (db m94176) HM
Thomas B. Mack was an author, educator and collector in the fields of horticulture, citrus and garden design. In 1951 he began a long horticultural teaching career at Florida Southern College specializing in citrus. In 1997 he was inducted into the . . . — — Map (db m130421) HM
On this site stood the phosphate mining town of Pierce. It was one of many company-owned mining towns and villages that once populated Polk County. Pierce was started in April 1906 by the Pierce Phosphate Company. This company was acquired in . . . — — Map (db m100904) HM
Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. (1910-1990), legendary citrus pioneer, rancher, and Florida businessman, was born in Polk County and grew up in Frostproof, Florida. He studied agriculture at the University of Florida but withdrew in 1933 to take over a . . . — — Map (db m151060) HM
This house was built in 1901 by pioneer cattleman, financier, and philanthropist W. Henry Lewis (1860-1940). Lewis was born in Thomasville, GA, and came to Florida as a young man. He married Sallie Singletary in 1887. Six of their children lived to . . . — — Map (db m110867) HM
Aaron Elijah Godwin acquired these lands for ranging his cattle in 1896.
Prior to his death, Godwin deeded his lands to his sons, Alfie Benjamin,
and William Riley Godwin. Alfie Benjamin grazed his cattle on the section
of land west of Lake . . . — — Map (db m277601) HM
The Gainesville Serviceman's Center
The City of Gainesville purchased the Servicemen’s Center lot on December 7th 1942. The Federal Works Agency constructed a $37,000 building with a ballroom, stage, dressing rooms, second floor reading . . . — — Map (db m220712) HM
John B. Sargeant is remembered as a "gentle" man who generously gave of his time so that future generations could enjoy the lands preserved here. A Polk County dairyman, he served twenty-seven years on the Hillsborough River Basin Board of the . . . — — Map (db m13678) HM
Built in 1911 by Philadelphia's Baldwin Locomotive Works, this locomotive was first used to transport timber in Florida. In the 1920's it was purchased for use in Texas' logging industry by the Angelina County-based Carter-Kelley Lumber Company. . . . — — Map (db m49730) HM
Cornelius and “Old Man Jack”
The English Log Cabin was originally located in Winston, Florida and built in 1888. The land had been purchased by Hackney English, and the cabin built by Cornelius English and his brother James Jackson, also . . . — — Map (db m268681) HM
Each decade, after it tabulates the decennial census, the U.S. Census Bureau calculates the center of population for the U.S. and each state. The center is determined as the place where an imaginary, flat, weightless and rigid map of each state . . . — — Map (db m57223) HM
The community that developed here was named Green Pond by A.T. Williams, because it reminded him of his home in Green Pond, SC. Early settlers Leroy Smith, Stephen Hancock, George Ritter, R.W. Hammond, and J.B. Rushing, donated land for a church, . . . — — Map (db m99923) HM
Zora Neale Hurston Branch Library, 3008 Avenue D
St. Lucie County's Zora Neale Hurston Branch Library, dedicated in 1991, has a long history of community involvement. The Friends of the Library purchased the property and donated it to . . . — — Map (db m202288) HM
John Blount was the son of William Blount, later a U.S. senator, and a Coushatta woman. While in Florida, he became principal chief of the Apalachee or Apalachicola Indians. During the First Seminole War (1814-1815), he achieved a certain level . . . — — Map (db m249608) HM
Dedicated to Polk County veterans and organizations serving veterans of the armed forces of the United States of America
All Gave Some Some Gave All
Veterans Service Organizations (left side)
Military Order of the Purple Heart Ch . . . — — Map (db m197307) WM
William J Howey William J. Howey, born January 19, 1876, was among the foremost citrus land
developers in early 1900s Florida. He created his first development in Winter
Haven in 1908, opening new groves in the area every two years after . . . — — Map (db m312946) HM
Historic Kissengen Spring is located approximately one mile north of this location. At one time the spring discharged up to 20 million gallons of water a day into the Peace River. The spring’s pool was 200 feet in diameter and reached a depth of 17 . . . — — Map (db m67655) HM
Polk County
This memorial plaque is dedicated to Medal of Honor recipient
Private James Henry Mills,
United States Army, of Fort Meade, Florida.
Private Mills displayed exceptional gallantry, valor
devotion to duty, and . . . — — Map (db m210985) WM
Col. Zachary Taylor, commanding the Army south of the Withlacoochee during the Second Seminole War. 1835-1842. received orders in November 1837 to penetrate into the interior of the state by opening a road from Tampa to the headwaters of Peace Creek . . . — — Map (db m239165) HM
On April 6, 1917 the United States declared war against Germany. Polk County residents responded to the call to serve with 1,845 joining the Armed Forces. The 2nd Florida Regiment from the local National Guard was consolidated with other National . . . — — Map (db m279750) HM WM
One of a chain of Seminole Indian War forts 1849-1858. Several men served at this post who later gained prominence in the Civil War. Among these were Generals George G. Meade, A.P. Hill, and "Stonewall" Jackson. Garrisoned by 1st. Art., 7th Inf. . . . — — Map (db m95108) HM
This monument pays tribute to all of those Polk County African Americans who served in World War II. Their service to the country would continue long after the battlefields of World War II grew silent.
More than one and a half million . . . — — Map (db m193707) HM WM
The early settlement of Polk County in 1867 brings us in close touch with the trail of the pioneer. Then from year to year, others came and settlement advanced. These early settlers came by covered wagon, many with ox team. The nearest railroad was . . . — — Map (db m76945) HM
Side 1
Davenport City Hall was built in 1927 in the Mediterranean Revival style by Streater Brothers Construction Company of Lakeland, Florida at a cost of $15,054.00. The architectural firm, Scroggs & Ewing, of Augusta, Georgia, designed the . . . — — Map (db m268175) HM
In 1883, Reverend James E. Bowen and Francis M. Gill built and opened the Bowen Settlement School, that became the first school in the northeast section of Polk County. In the early 20th century, population growth prompted the need for a new . . . — — Map (db m264377) HM
Global War on Terrorism
Freedom Memorial
Dedicated to our Veterans & their families
Polk County, Florida
On September 11, 2001, police, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTS) came together as one . . . — — Map (db m195085) HM WM
The first bridge on this site was built along with the original Fort Meade
in the mid-1800s. The crossing was in constant need of repair and
reconstruction to serve military and civilians along the Peace River.
The county began construction of . . . — — Map (db m290362) HM
In this immediate vicinity was the site of Fort Fraser. Established by General Zachary Taylor November, 1837 on his march against the Seminoles culminating in the Battle of Okeechobee. Erected by the Fourth Infantry and garrisoned by the Second . . . — — Map (db m95102) HM
Homeland Heritage Park's Beginning
Homeland Heritage Park officially opened its doors on March 26, 1985. The School Board of Polk County donated the Homeland School building and the surrounding property to the Polk County
Board of . . . — — Map (db m268533) HM
The SUN 'n FUN Fly-In was founded in 1974 by members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Lakeland Chapter 454, the Florida Sport Aviation Antique and Classic Association. and the Southeast Sport Aviation Council.
On . . . — — Map (db m267767) HM
At this site on January 19. 1925, F.E.
Williamson opened the Williamson Theater.
Landowners W.H. Mann and A.S. Beymer
hired Tampa architect B.C. Bonfoey and
Seymour-Craig Co. of Winter Haven to
build the theater.
Designed in the Spanish . . . — — Map (db m290361) HM
In 1862, wealthy cattle baron Jacob Summerlin purchased land from pioneer
R.R. Blount. By 1866, Summerlin donated land to establish government
buildings, a school, and local churches.
On September 21, 1875, a group of Christians met at the . . . — — Map (db m290363) HM
The first bridge crossing the Withlacoochee River at this site was built in the 1850s by slaves belonging to James Lanier. Replaced several times during the following century, the bridge served lumber, turpentine and cattle operations along with . . . — — Map (db m213957) HM
On this site stood a Rosenwald School. Educator Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) enlisted philanthropist and CEO of Sears, Roebuck & Company, Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932) to help fund the building of rural community schools for African American . . . — — Map (db m131643) HM
The Carpenters' Home was the retirement home for members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America from 1929 to 1976. The Union completed the purchase of the 1,684 acre site in April 1924. Costing $632,393, the site included 594 . . . — — Map (db m100435) HM
Thin black lines indicate changes in relevance. Between each pair of lines entries are ordered geographically but all have the same relevance.
* Inflectional forms of words are their plurals, singulars, and possessives as well as gramatical tenses and similar variations.
