Florida Historical Markers Programs - Marker: Polk

Polk

THE W. HENRY LEWIS HOUSE

Location:424 North Oak Avenue
County: Polk
City: Fort Meade
Description: 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 be adults: Asa, James, Lettie, Martha, Anna Belle, and Virginia. Lewis was a keen businessman, successful in cattle-raising, citrus, and real estate. In partnership with "Doc" Lightsey, he was a leading cattleman in Polk County, owning thousands of head of cattle and thousands of acres of land along the Kissimmee River. Lewis held interests in several Polk County banks and helped to organize and served as president of the First State Bank of Fort Meade. He was an advocate of good roads and was one of three trustees of a million-dollar road bond issue in Polk County, the first of its kind in Florida. Lewis chose Fort Meade, the center of his cattle enterprises, as home. After his death, his house was purchased by daughter Virginia and her husband Carlton Marsh. She lived here until her death in 1998. The two-story Lewis House combines elements of the Colonial Revival and Queen Anne architectural styles, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
Sponsors: The Children and Grandchildren of Virginia Lewis Marsh, the Historical Society of Fort Meade, and the Florida Department of State

GRAM PARSONS DERRY DOWN

Location:297 Fifth Street Northwest
County: Polk
City: Winter Garden
Description: On December 20, 1964, Winter Haven businessman Bob Parsons opened the Derry Down in this building. The English-themed teen club’s primary purpose was to give his stepson, Gram Parsons, a performance venue for his folk band, The Shilos. The club not only provided a venue for local youth musicians, but it helped elevate Winter Haven as a destination for traveling groups in the region. The Derry Down became part of a circuit of Florida teen centers in the 1960s that provided fledgling musicians a place to hone their skills as performers. In 1968, Gram Parsons joined the American folk rock standard-bearers The Byrds. In 1969, he founded the country rock band, Flying Burrito Brothers. Parsons recorded two genre-bending solo albums with then-unknown folk singer, Emmylou Harris. He died in 1973 in Joshua Tree, California, at age 26. In 2013, author Bob Kealing raised awareness that the building was slated for demolition. The building’s owner, Six/Ten, LLC donated the building to the community-driven Derry Down Project, a Main Street Winter Haven initiative, to restore the building and preserve its legacy by nurturing new artists.
Sponsors: Derry Down Project, Main Street Winter Haven, Inc., Bob Kealing

ACTON COMMUNITY

Location:U.S. 92(E. Memoyial Blvd.) at Interlachen Parkway
County: Polk
City: Lakeland
Description: In 1884, a group of Englishmen established Acton, named after English author Lord Acton, two miles east of Lakeland. Acton lasted from 1884, until 1894, when its residents scattered after the great freeze. During its decade of existence the town had about 200 people, a hotel, sawmill, stores and a church. Its atmosphere, dress and custom were typically English. Polo, fox hunting and cricket were a part of the village's daily life.

HISTORIC PUGHSVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD

Location:1601 Third Street
County: Polk
City: Winter Haven
Description: 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 southeast section of the city. For many decades, Pughsville remained a vibrant and thriving community. Pughsville was named in honor of one of the earliest black pioneers, the Reverend Charles Pugh, who was one of the founders of one of the oldest black churches in Pughsville, Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Pughsville boasted three other churches: Bethel A.M.E., St. Paul Holiness, and Church of Christ. During the peak of its existence (1900s -- 1950s), Pughsville had an African-American school, social halls, small grocery stores and restaurants. Many residents worked in the citrus industry, but others were restaurant owners, business professionals, educators, construction workers and domestic workers. Still others worked in local, state and federal government jobs. Pughsville produced Winter Haven's first African-American commissioner, medical doctor, mayor, fire fighter and postal worker. The original Pughsville began to decline during the late 1970s as larger commercial establishments began arriving in the area, driving up property values.
Sponsors: BY THE CITY OF WINTER HAVEN, THE POLK COUNTY COMMISSION, AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE

OLD POLK COUNTY COURTHOUSE

Location:100 E. Main Street
County: Polk
City: Bartow
Description: 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 eleventh president of the United States. Polk served from 1845 to 1849, and was the first president to hold office after Florida achieved statehood. The turbulent 1860's saw Polk's seat of government changed several times. Located first at Mud Lake, the county seat soon moved to Jefferson, a surveyed town site within the present day limits of Bartow. Court and County records were maintained in the home of the county clerk the Reverend Jeremiah Hayman at Six Mile Creek. In 1867 cattleman Jacob Summerlin donated 120 acres of land at Bartow for a town site and seat of county government. Several courthouses have existed at this site, built in 1867, 1884 and 1909.
Sponsors: POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE

THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT CAMPUS OF FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE

Location:on the Florida Southern College grounds.
County: Polk
City: Lakeland
Description: 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 ideas, termed "Organic Architecture." His concept was to decentralize the city by distributing urban functions to rural areas and to utilize new technologies in the building trades. Wright's involvement at the campus was the result of urgings from Ludd M. Spivey, then president of the college. Wright insisted that the college's individual buildings reflect their environment through the use of "native materials all universally adapted to the uses of young life." Eighteen buildings, only seven of which were completed, were originally planned for the campus. The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, begun in 1938, was the first to be built, and the Polk Science Building, completed in 1959 during the presidency of Charles T. Thrift, Jr., was the last. Later buildings on the campus were designed by Nils Schweizer, an eminent Florida architect and student of Wright. The Florida Southern College Architectural district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Sponsors: Sponsored by Florida Southern College in cooperation with department of state

THE HISTORIC L. B. BROWN HOUSE

Location:470 Second Avenue
County: Polk
City: Bartow
Description: The L. B. Brown House was built in 1892, during the period of Bartow’s initial development. It is a good example of Frame Vernacular construction typical of that period. This house is decorated with intricate mill work and gingerbread. The house has nine rooms. The Brown house was built by Lawrence Bernard Brown (1856-1941) who was born into slavery, in Wacahoota, outside of Archer. He moved to Deland around 1882 where he built a number of houses. Lawrence moved to Bartow during the 1880s and built a large number of dwellings, one of which was the L. B. Brown House. Lawrence and AnnieBelle (1882-1938) Brown raised seven children here. Lawrence and his wife are buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Bartow. The house is now owned by the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation of Bartow, Inc. Restoration was completed in 2001 with the cooperation of the city of Bartow, citizens of Bartow, and the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources.
Sponsors: The Neighborhood Improvement Corporation of Bartow and the Florida Department of State

THE SOROSIS CLUB BUILDING

Location:90 Lake Morton Drive
County: Polk
City: Lakeland
Description: In 1922 the Sorosis Club or sorority, a women's club in Lakeland, was organized. Named after the first incorporated women’s club in America, the Sorosis Club of New York, the Sorosis Club’s mission included service to the community, as well as social and cultural activities. This property was purchased in 1925 as the site for its new clubhouse. Plans for the Italian Renaissance building by W.B. Talley (1871-1956), a Lakeland architect, were approved in 1926, and construction was completed by N.L. Snelson in 1927 at a cost of $42,000. This clubhouse was the first community center in the city. The Italian Renaissance style was most popular in the United States between 1890 and 1935. Typical elements of the style include the symmetrical design to the front of the building, a flat roof with a low wall around it, wrought-iron railings, recessed porches with arches, and small classical columns. Goldenrod, the club flower of The Sorosis Club, is stenciled below the roof. Two large stone lanterns on each side of the front walk represent knowledge and leadership. The detailing of this building is unique in Lakeland, and unusual in the Central Florida region.
Sponsors: THE CITY OF LAKELAND HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE

THE RAILROAD IN DUNDEE HISTORY

Location:103 Main St.
County: Polk
City: Dundee
Description: The Dundee Passenger Depot, built ca. 1912, was the first depot on the Haines City to Sebring Line of The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. Most of Dundee’s early growth can be attributed to the railroad. With the advent of the railroad, the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Highland Development Company brought settlers down from the Midwest, refunding their fares when they purchased land. Dundee and the railroad both prospered. Hotels and rooming houses were built to house the prospective buyers and others who came just seeking a spot in the Florida sun. The station was segregated from 1912 to 1954. Although passenger service was discontinued in ca. 1954 the depot continued to handle freight until c. 1975 when the line was discontinued. The depot was then moved to its present position and renovated into a museum commemorating the role the railroad played in the development of the town of Dundee.
Sponsors: THE DUNDEE DEPOT RESTORATION COMMITTEE AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE

HISTORIC PUGHSVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD

Location:Highway 17 and Avenue "O" Southwest
County: Polk
City: Winter Haven
Description: 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 and thriving community. Pughsville was named in honor of one of the earliest black pioneers, the Reverend Charles Pugh, who was one of the founders of one of the oldest black churches in Pughsville, Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Pughsville boasted three other churches: Bethel A.M.E., St. Paul Holiness, and Church of Christ. During the peak of its existence (1900s --1950s), Pughsville had an African-American school, social halls, small grocery stores and restaurants. Many residents worked in the citrus industry, but others were restaurant owners, business professionals, educators, construction workers and domestic workers. Still others worked in local, state and federal government jobs. Pughsville produced Winter Haven's first African-American commissioner, medical doctor, mayor, fire fighter and postal worker. The original Pughsville began to decline during the late 1970s as larger commercial establishments began arriving in the area, driving up property values.
Sponsors: BY THE CITY OF WINTER HAVEN, THE POLK COUNTY COMMISSION, AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE

THE WOMEN'S CLUB OF LAKELAND

Location:59 Morton Dr.
County: Polk
City: Lakeland
Description: The Woman’s Club of Lakeland was organized in 1912. In 1923 they purchased this property as the site for their clubhouse. W.B.Talley, a Lakeland architect, designed this colonial revival building in 1927 and in 1928 construction was completed by the Billman-Purdy Construction Company at a cost of $13,000. This clubhouse would serve one of the city’s oldest and most active social civic organization for the past fifty years. The Colonial Revival style was first introduced at the Philadelphia Exposition in 1876 and was brought to Florida in the late 1880’s It signified a rebirth of interest in the early English and Dutch houses of the Atlantic Seaboard and drew upon Georgian and Adam architecture for references. Typical Colonial Revival characteristics that can be seen here include an accentuated front door with a decorative pediment and sidelights, a hipped roof, and double hung sash windows in adjacent pairs. The Woman’s Club is a contributing structure to the East lake Morton Historic District, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
Sponsors: THE CITY OF LAKELAND HISTORIC PRESVERATION BOARD AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

FLORENCE VILLA TRAINING SCHOOL

Location:700 Block "O" Ave
County: Polk
City: Winter Haven
Description: 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 Church. Seeing the need for a permanent campus, local white physician Dr. Mary B. Jewett in March 1924 approached the Board of Public Instruction with construction plans and an offer to donate this land. Construction began in August 1924. Funding sources were as follows: Negro donations: $2,000; White donations: $11,000; Ad Valorem Taxes: $5,000; and Julius Rosenwald School Fund: $1,500. When the five-acre campus opened on December 1, 1924 the building consisted of six large classrooms, a Domestic Science Department and an auditorium. Enrollment peaked at 250 students. On the night of January 17th, 1925, a fire destroyed the school and its furnishings. The Florence Villa Town Council offered a $500 reward for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible, to no avail. This property was returned to Dr. Jewett in May 1925, and an alternate school location was chosen farther to the north.
Sponsors: SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF WINTER HAVEN, THE POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION, THE JEWETT HIGH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE

HISTORIC KISSENGEN SPRING

Location:Mosaic Peace River Park
County: Polk
City: Bartow
Description: 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 feet above the spring vent. Its boil reportedly was so powerful that the strongest swimmer could not reach it. Archaeological evidence shows this area of the Peace River was inhabited by Native Americans who established large villages near the river’s springs. In the late 1800s developers sought to acquire the spring as a resort destination and sanatorium. Although plans for rail lines, trolleys, and boats never were realized to exploit the spring for tourism, a dance floor, dive platform, and bathhouses were built, and thousands of locals and tourists visited over 75 years. In the 1930s the popular spring was the site of major political rallies. During World War II, it served as a rest and recuperation resort for members of the military based near Bartow. The spring ceased to be a tourist destination after its groundwater was captured for other uses.
Sponsors: IN MEMORY OF THOMAS E. JACKSON SPONSORED BY THE POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION SOUTHEASTERN GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY THE GENEROSITY OF FRIENDS OF KISSENGEN SPRING AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE

SUMICA

Location:Florida Hwy 60, ten miles East of Lake Wales, one mile West of Weohyakapka Creek bridge
County: Polk
City: Lake Wales
Description: 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 acronym for the French company, the Société Universelle des Mines, Industrie, Commerce et Agriculture, which built the town’s sawmill and turpentine plant. A post office was established at Sumica on March 19, 1917, and the town later grew to include approximately 50 houses, a commissary, church, and school. The Seaboard Airline Railway completed a branch line, the Kissimmee River Railway, in December 1917, to connect Sumica with the turpentine communities of Walinwa on Lake Weohyakapka and Nalaca in Highlands County. By 1922, the sawmill at Sumica had extended 4 miles of logging rails into surrounding woodlands, and was producing 35,000 feet of lumber per day. Following depletion of the region’s timber, the town’s post office closed in June 1927 and Sumica was abandoned. Today, all that remains of Sumica are foundations that mark the location of the town’s former sawmill and residences.
Sponsors: The Polk County Historical Commission and the Florida Department of State

HISTORIC OAKLAND HIGH SCHOOL

Location:1346 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
County: Polk
City: Haines Street
Description: The Oakland School opened on this site in 1928. The school accommodated first through eighth grades. It operated with funds from the county school board and the Julius Rosenwald Foundation, a charitable organization that provided access to education for African Americans in the South. Black high school students in Haines City were required to travel to schools in Bartow or Lakeland until 1930, when the Oakland School was accredited as a senior high school. Its first graduating class of four students matriculated that same year. As one of five black high schools in the county, the renamed Oakland High served students from the neighboring towns of Loughman, Davenport, Dundee, Lake Hamilton, and unincorporated northeast Polk County. The school expanded in 1952 to include a gymnasium, auditorium/cafeteria, dedicated elementary school, and industrial arts and home economics building. The campus spanned from Avenue D to Avenue E, bordered by 11th Street on the east and 8th Street on the west. After the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and public school integration, Oakland High closed in 1968. Many of the school buildings were razed in 1977, but the music building still remains as part of Oakland Neighborhood Center.
Sponsors: Oakland High Alumni, Inc.

HISTORIC MYERS AND WILEY ATHLETIC FIELD

Location:915 N 8th Street
County: Polk
City: Haines City
Description: African American philanthropists, Arnie L. Myers and Ruben L. Wiley, donated this site to the City of Haines City on November 29, 1944, to help establish an athletic and recreational field for people of color living in the community during the era of Jim Crow. The field was named the Oakland Athletic Field and configured for football and baseball. Adjacent to the Oakland High School campus, it served as a dedicated home field for the school’s varsity football program until 1968, the year the school closed. It was also home field for the local Haines City Brahmans, an African American semi-pro baseball team, and functioned in this capacity well into the 1980s. In 1957, the field was renamed to Cook Athletic Field to honor a local citrus contractor who allegedly funded the erection of a cinder block wall on three sides of the field. The wall was subsequently destroyed by a storm. After 76 years, on August 6, 2020, the field was renamed Myers & Wiley Athletic Field in recognition of the African American men who gifted this historical site to the city. Today, the field is a venue for a variety of competitive athletic and sporting events.

HISTORIC OAKLAND NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT

Location:Seven (7) block span, Avenue
County: Polk
City: Haines City
Description: The Oakland Neighborhood of Haines City functioned as the business/commercial district for African Americans from the early 1900s to well into the 1970s. It is a seven-block area spanning Avenue “A” through Avenue “H” of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Way (previously North 11th Street). Businesses that thrived during this period included restaurants/cafes, grocery stores, ice cream parlors/soda fountains, dry good retailers, a jewelry retailer, a dry cleaner, a movie theater, barbershops, an American Legion Hall, a pool/billiard room, beer gardens, gas/auto service stations and a wine and spirit retailer. During the seasonal citrus harvesting (September – May) period, commerce activity of Oakland’s business district equaled or exceeded that of the broader Haines City downtown commercial district. Oakland Senior High School, a historically African American high school, occupied the entire block between avenues “D” and “E,” and closed in 1968. In recent years, store front faith-based entities have established a presence in the area. Residential homes were and continue to be comingled in this seven-block district.