Polk County is very fortunate to be home to so many historic attractions and monuments, from the beautiful Bok Tower Gardens to several historic districts that demonstrate architectural trends through the years. As Polk County celebrates its 164th anniversary this year, our county historians have received a major boost in their efforts to engage in historic preservation.
Historic preservation is one of the most important aspects of public history, as well as one of the most visible. You probably pass by a historic marker every day, whether driving to work, taking a walk during lunch, or exploring the various attractions Polk County has to offer. These historic markers serve as beacons, allowing us to learn about our past and connect to our communities. Polk County’s preservation efforts also serve as educational ventures that allow residents and visitors to see the physical impact of our past on the cities, towns, and countryside all around us.
Polk County Historical Markers
An integral element of Polk’s Historic Preservation Ordinance (2023-076) and the Certified Local Government Program is the Historical Marker program led by the Polk County Historical Commission. The vision for the program is to continue recognizing and preserving the local history of the county. Preservation extends to all historic resources, especially persons, events, institutions, buildings, ethnic groups, churches, communities and cemeteries that meet the criteria.
While the presence of historical markers does not guarantee protection from development, it does serve to align the county’s preservation program with those on state and federal levels.
Dating Back to 1957
Over the past 60 years Polk’s Historical Marker program has grown to 42 markers county-wide, with the earliest historical markers established in 1957 to identify the locations of Fort Arbuckle, Fort Meade, and Fort Clinch in the 1850s. Just this past year, eight markers were approved and installed at Shady Oaks Gardens Cemetery, SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In, 1930 Publix Food Store, Union Academy, and Shady Oaks Fish Camp locations.
Polk County History and Modern Technology
Carrying out the preservation mission of the Polk County Historical Commission, the Polk County History Center staff collaborates with Polk County’s Parks and Natural Resources and Planning and Development divisions to coordinate preservation efforts. A visible component of this joint effort has been the addition of historical sites to the county’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping software. As the county prepares for the next 25 years of growth with the pending update of the Comprehensive Plan for 2050, these GIS maps will provide the planning committee with readily available information on the county’s preservation efforts.
The new Certified Local Government program status will allow the historical commission to continue to develop their relationship with the state’s leading preservation experts in Tallahassee, opening doors for valuable partnerships in preservation, education, and funding for preservation programs.
Join the Preservation Effort
The Polk County Historical Commission would like to encourage any resident of Polk County who is curious about a historical site, monument, or district to visit the Polk County History Center and speak to the Historic Preservation Manager or attend a commission meeting. Historic preservation is designed to be focused on the needs and culture of a community, and Polk’s residents have championed many of the existing historical markers.
The Polk County Historical Commission meets on the first Thursday of January, March, May, August, and October in the County Commission Boardroom on the first floor of the County Administration Building at 330 W. Church St. in Bartow. The Historical Marker Committee meets at 2:30 p.m., followed by the full commission at 3 p.m.
Located at 100 E. Main St. in Bartow, the Polk County History Center collects, preserves, and documents items significant to Polk County’s history and heritage. The center presents these items to the public through exhibitions and educational activities. Normal operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Visit www.polkhistorycenter.org or call (863) 534-4386 for more information about Polk County history and preservation.