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Myrtice Young
Historic Preservation Manager
Phone: (863) 534-4386
Toll Free: (800) 780-5346
Email: MyrticeYoung@polk-county.net
On Dec. 5, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Polk County Historic Preservation Ordinance that would make historic preservation in Polk a matter of public policy. This ordinance is the foundation for preservation work in the county and is regulated by the Polk County Historical Commission.
To further preservation efforts in the county, Polk County became Certified Local Government (CLG) in January 2025. The CLG Program is a partnership between local, state and federal governments created to promote preservation initiatives. Additionally, this partnership opens doors for historic preservation program funding, grants, training and technical assistance. It will also be a tool to help Polk County property owners who are seeking historical designations.
The vision of the Polk County CLG program is to identify, protect and preserve historic resources in the county, as well as increasing awareness and creating educational programs for the communities of Polk regarding important sites, buildings and districts. To ensure this advancement, historic preservation efforts and policy are outlined in the Polk County Comprehensive Plan.
Historic Marker Program
The Polk County History Center and the Polk County Historical Commission work to collect and preserve historical materials that relate to Polk County and Florida history. The historical marker program plays a vital role in furthering public education of historic resources in the county by recognizing sites of historical significance through signage and local collaborative partnerships.
The program is intended to recognize sites of historical significance through signage but does not give historic resources any protection under the Polk County Historic Preservation Ordinance.
The vision for the program is to recognize and preserve local history of the county, as well as diversifying historic resources to acknowledge the various communities in the county. Historical resources include people, events, institutions, buildings, ethnic groups, churches, communities and cemeteries.
For information regarding the historic marker program, contact the Historic Preservation Manager.
National Register of Historic Places
The Polk County CLG serves as liaison between parties interested in applying for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places and the government agencies involved in the nomination process. The National Register of Historic Places is an honorary program created and maintained by the Department of the Interior. The program does not protect local sites but distinguishes them as historically important.
If you are interested in nominating a site for the National Register of Historic Places, please contact the Historic Preservation Manager.
Additional Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Historic Preservation
Each program has different criteria to determine eligibility. For more information regarding criteria and program processes, contact the Historic Preservation Manager at (863) 534-4386.
To initiate an inquiry about a specific property in unincorporated Polk County, complete the form below. If the property is within one of Polk’s 17 municipalities, you will need to contact those agencies directly.
How do I protect my historic home/site/resource?
If your site falls within your city’s limits, please contact your local city government for more information.
The Polk County Historic Preservation Ordinance outlines protections for sites in the unincorporated county. To fall under these protections, sites must be designated as a local historic site by the Polk County Historical Commission. For more information, please contact the Historic Preservation Manager.
How do I apply for a historic marker for my property?
To learn about applying for a historic marker, contact the History Center at (863) 534-4386.
Where can I find existing historic markers throughout Polk County?
The History Center can connect you with resources to learn about historically designated locations through Polk County. Contact the History Center at (863) 534-4386.