The town of Bartow was named in honor of Francis S. Bartow, the first Confederate officer to die in the American Civil War. Residents of the city are known as Bartowans. While Bartow itself is not a very large city - the Polk County cities of Lakeland and Winter Haven have larger populations - Bartow does have the distinction of being the second largest in geographical area . The city has been called The City of Oaks, The City of Oaks and Azaleas and The Capitol of Imperial Polk County.

Geography:

Bartow is approximately 38 miles east of Tampa, 55 miles southwest of Orlando, and 15 miles west of Lake Wales. The cities of Bartow, Lakeland, and Winter Haven form an equilateral triangle pointed downward with Bartow being the south “point”, Lakeland the west “point”, and Winter Haven the east “point”. The city is located near the headwaters of the Peace River at Lake Hancock. The major roads which go through Bartow are U.S. Highway 17, U.S. Highway 98, and State Road 60.

According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2000 the city had a total area of 29.4 km² (11.4 mi²). 29.1 km² (11.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (1.23%) is water. Since then, the city has annexed much land, quadrupling in size. Much of that land is undeveloped, although the city has rezoned much of it for residential use and it is estimated that the population of Bartow may increase threefold in the next couple of decades.

Climate:

The climate of Bartow, like most of Florida, is humid subtropical. Most of the inland areas farthest away from the ocean tend to have more extreme temperature ranges than those areas on the coast. Since Bartow is one of the cities furthest from the coast in peninsular Florida, it can be among the hottest places in the state on some summer days, and during the occasional winter Arctic blast, it has had temperatures in the teens (Fahrenheit).

While Bartow’s distance from the coast has offered protection from most of the effects of landfalling hurricanes which occasionally cross the state, Bartow has on rare occasion been affected severely, most recently in 2004 when Hurricanes Charley, Francis and Jeanne crossed the state with the center of all three storms coming close to Bartow. The most severe of these, Charley rapidly crossed Polk County as a Category 3 storm, destroying up to a third of Bartow’s famous oak trees.

Demographics:

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,340 people, 5,531 households, and 3,777 families residing in the city. The population density was 527.4/km² (1,366.5/mi²). There were 6,099 housing units at an average density of 209.7/km² (543.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.91% White, 28.39% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 2.22% from other races, and 2.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.11% of the population.

There were 5,531 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,568, and the median income for a family was $44,093. Males had a median income of $31,716 versus $21,309 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,487. About 9.7% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

Historic Buildings and Landmarks:

Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church- 205 East Stanford Street. Built in 1926;Neogothic styling. One of the largest church buildings in Bartow.
Conant House- 1010 South Broadway. Example of Colonial revival style.
First Methodist Church- 310 South Broadway. Build in 1907, this is a fine example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. One of the first two churches in Bartow.
Hugh Wear House- 310 South Orange Avenue. Built in 1889, but burned to the ground in the 1990s.
Redeemer Lutheran Church - 390 East Parker Street. Gothic Revival architecture with a cross-shaped floor plan.
South Florida Military Academy- 1140 South Broadway. This school was eventually amalgamated into the University of Florida.
Stuart Hotel- 145-195 South Central Avenue. Three-story brick building built in 1914.
Swearingen-Langford House- 690 East Church Street (in Church Street Historic District). Neoclassical brick home built in 1925; location for a movie and several commercials.
Thomas Lee Wilson House- 555 East Stanford Street. Was used as the Funeral Parlor in the movie My Girl.
Windsweep- 935 South Oak Avenue. Built in 1909, this house was the residence used in the movie China Moon.
The Wonder House- 1075 Mann Road. Features natural air-conditioning (using rainwater), secluded outdoor bathtubs, and numerous mirrors that let residents see who was at the door from other parts of the home.

Polk City is governed by a five-person council who elect a mayor and vice mayor from their membership.
The fictional Orlampa, Florida is in Polk City, the eccentric mayor of Orlampa is Kermit Weeks.

Geography and Recreation:

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²), all land. The area where Polk City is located contains the highest elevations of the Floridan Aquifer.

While small in both size and population Polk City offers its residents a vast array of activities throughout the year. For children there are Tee-Ball and Little League as well as a Pee-Wee football league. Also, there is a yearly Founder’s Day festival in midtown park located at the beginning of General James A. Van Fleet State Trail.

Finally, due to its location in the Green Swamp area of Florida outside the city limits is are home to swamp lands with a vast array of vegetation and wildlife which can viewed while traveling along the General James A. Van Fleet State Trail.

One could also spend a day visiting one of the many fish hatcheries scattered just outside the city limits. These hatcheries raise a variety of tropical fish for whole sale or to repopulate habitats.

Demographics:

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,516 people, 542 households, and 422 families residing in the town. The population density was 760.2/km² (1,966.2/mi²). There were 596 housing units at an average density of 298.9/km² (773.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.13% White, 1.91% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 1.78% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.11% of the population.

There were 542 households out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the town the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,083, and the median income for a family was $36,705. Males had a median income of $28,158 versus $20,579 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,108. About 13.6% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions and Points of Interests:

Fantasy of Flight
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
Rain Forest Hatchery

Geography:

Lake Wales lies almost in the exact center of the Florida peninsula. In 2004 the eyes of Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne all passed over the town. Virtually all physical damage has been restored.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.3 km² (14.0 mi²). 34.6 km² (13.4 mi²) of it is land and 1.7 km² (0.7 mi²) of it (4.71%) is water.

Lake Wales lies near the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and State Road 60. The downtown area lies on State Road 17, the Scenic Highway. Furthermore, Lake Wales is approximately 25 miles to Interstate 4 via US 27, 50 miles to Interstate 75 via State Road 60 West, and 45 miles to The Florida Turnpike via State Road 60 East.

Demographics:

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,194 people (2006 Estimate put the population at 13,687, according to the U.S. Census Bureau), 4,044 households, and 2,563 families residing in the city. The population density was 294.8/km² (763.9/mi²). There were 4,598 housing units at an average density of 133.0/km² (344.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.49% White, 34.59% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 3.62% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.95% of the population.

There were 4,044 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,884, and the median income for a family was $30,029. Males had a median income of $21,809 versus $20,568 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,106. About 36.9% of families and 41.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.2% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.

The city was platted in 1885, shortly after the South Florida Railroad reached the area[4]. The city was first known as Clay Cut, but there was no railroad station. It is said that the inhabitants persuaded the railroad company to build a station by agreeing to rename their city Haines City, to honor a senior railroad official, Colonel Henry Haines.

In recent years Haines City has seen explosive growth, largely because of its easy access to Orlando and Walt Disney World. New residential areas have been developed on the edges of the city. On high ground in the north of the city, Southern Dunes, a golf and country club with both vacation homes and residential homes, was developed between 1995 and 2005.

Geography:

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.2 km² (19.8 mi²). Of that, 21.5 km² (8.3 mi²) is land and 1.7 km² (0.6 mi²), 7.27% of the total, is water.

Haines City lies near the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and U.S. Highway 17/92. US 27 has recently been improved and is now a 6 lane highway, connecting the city to Interstate 4 six miles (10 km) north.
State Road 17, known as the Scenic Highway, starts from US 17/92 in Haines City and parallels US 27 to Sebring.

The only public transportation in Haines City is an hourly bus service to Lake Alfred and Winter Haven by Winter Haven Area Transit.

Demographics:

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,174 people, 4,749 households, and 3,409 families residing in the city. The population density was 613.6/km² (1,588.7/mi²). There were 6,283 housing units at an average density of 292.6/km² (757.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 54.87% White, 31.86% African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 10.42% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.33% of the population.
There were 4,749 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,636, and the median income for a family was $30,678. Males had a median income of $21,806 versus $19,279 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,818. About 14.7% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.3% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

Winter Haven is best known as the home of Cypress Gardens, a theme park which has recently gone through renovations to add thrill rides. Country musician Gram Parsons was from a wealthy family in Winter Haven. Winter Haven was also home to the first Publix supermarket circa 1930.

Geography:

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 65.8 km² (25.4 mi²). 45.8 km² (17.7 mi²) of it is land and 20.0 km² (7.7 mi²) of it (30.45%) is water.

Winter Haven, is called “The Chain of Lakes City” because of its numerous fresh water lakes which touch or are contained within the city limits. 24 of the lakes are connected by a system of navigable canals better known as the “Chain of Lakes”. Winter Haven has Florida’s first theme park, (Cypress Gardens Adventure Park). It is also the home of Winter Haven Hospital and Winter Haven’s Gilbert Airport. Winter Haven also contains many buildings designed by Gene Leedy, one of the founders of the Sarasota School of Architecture. The Chain of Lakes City used to be the Spring Training home to the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians. The Red Sox moved to Fort Myers in 1992, and the Indians left after the 2008 Spring Training Season for Arizona.

The city gets its name from it obvious lack of colder weather with a warm tropical climate throughout the majority of the year. The average temperature is 73.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Demographics:

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,487 people, 11,833 households, and 6,934 families residing in the city. The population density was 578.4/km² (1,498.3/mi²). There were 13,912 housing units at an average density of 303.8/km² (787.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.51% White, 23.16% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.87% from other races, and 2.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.94% of the population and 0.001%.
There were 11,833 households out of which 21.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 27.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,884, and the median income for a family was $39,657. Males had a median income of $30,943 versus $21,812 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,383. About 10.5% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

Geography:

Lakeland is 141 feet (43 m) above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 67 square miles (173.5 km2). 45.84 square miles (118.7 km2) of it is land and 5.61 square miles (14.5 km2) of it (10.90%) is water.

Demographics:

As of the census of 2000, there were 78,452 people, 33,509 households, and 20,373 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,711.3/mi² (660.8/km²). There were 38,980 housing units at an average density of 850.3/mi² (328.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.52% White, 21.26% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.76% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.41% of the population.

There were 33,509 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were individuals and non-traditional families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,119, and the median income for a family was $40,468. Males had a median income of $32,137 versus $23,771 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,760. About 10.7% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Lakeland has seen explosive growth. According to The Tampa Tribune the population in 2020 is projected to be 115,000 residents.

Attractions and Points of Interests:

Historic districts and City Neighborhoods
Beacon Hill-Alta Vista Residential District
Biltmore-Cumberland Historic District
Dixieland Historic District
East Lake Morton Residential District
Lake Hunter Terrace Historic District
Munn Park Historic District
South Lake Morton Historic District

Buildings and Locations
Central Avenue School
Cleveland Court School
John F. Cox Grammar School
Florida Southern College
Henley Field Ball Park
Joker Marchant Stadium
Lake Mirror Promenade
Lakeland Center
Lakeland Square Mall
Lakeside Village
Old Lakeland High School
James Henry Mills Medal of Honor Parkway
Oates Building
Polk Community College
Polk Museum of Art
Polk Theatre
Southeastern University of the Assemblies of God
University of South Florida, Lakeland campus
USA International Speedway
Winston School
Without Walls Central Church
Word of Life Worship Center
Silvermoon Drive-in