Bartow (Florida)
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Understand
History
While Florida was first obtained by the United States in 1819, the central and southern regions of this new territory remained largely uninhabited as a result of the hostile Seminole Indian tribe, heat, and the high humidity of the region. Following the end of the Second Seminole War in 1842, small groups of settlers began to trek into the interior of this region and build some of the first permanent settlements in this region, set up as forts to deter Seminole attacks. In 1851, the first permanent settlers reached this location near the headwaters of the Peace River and established Fort Blount (a quarter-mile west of the 1908 courthouse). The settlement remained small for many years. In 1861, Polk County was separated from Hillsborough County, with Fort Blout being chosen as the county seat. The Civil War halted development, but in 1867 county commissioners decided to rename Fort Blount in honor of Francis Bartow—the first Confederate officer to die in the war. A few years later, land donations from the cattle baron & largest landowner in the region, Jacob Summerlin, allowed the Polk County government and the city of Bartow to develop: 40 acres for the county government, 20 acres for a school, and 20 acres each for two churches. In 1887, the first brick schoolhouse south of Jacksonville was built and named "Summerlin Institute".
Climate
Get in
By car
The only feasible way to enter Bartow is by car. Bartow is located at the confluence of US 17, US 98, and SR 60.By bus
Bus service is available from Lakeland or Winter Haven by the Citrus Connection bus service.By plane
Bartow Municipal Airportgeneral aviation
Get around
By car
By bus
By taxi
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Checker Cab Co.
phone: +1 863 665-8151Serves all of Polk County. -
Yellowcab/Maingate Taxi
phone: +1 863 292-9166Serves all of Polk County. -
Polk County Taxi
phone: +1 863 521-2924Serves all of Polk County.
See
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address: 100 E Main StMuseum showcasing Polk County's history and housed in the historic, 1908 county courthouse. The building also houses the Polk County Historical & Genealogical Library (+1 863 534-4380).
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phone: +1 863 534-0100address: 470 Second AveHouse on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1892 by former slave and self-taught master carpenter L.B. Brown.
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The Museum Room at the Bartow Airport
phone: +1 863 533-1195address: Bartow Municipal Airport & Industrial ParkMemorabilia from the time when this airport served as a training center for air force recruits during WWII & the 1950s.
Do
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phone: +1 863 534-1877address: 1240 E Main StArt classes & workshops.
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Mary Holland Skate Park
address: 2015 Shumate DrSkate park. -
Bartow Golf Course
phone: +1 863 533-9183address: 150 Idlewood AvePublic, 18-hole course. Range, lessons, & golf club rental available. On-site restaurant. Slope rating: 126. USGA rating: 69.8.
There are two boat launches on the Peace River:
- Heritage Peace River Landing at 3301 Homeland Garfield Rd.
- Peace River Canoe Launch on the southeast side of the S.R. 60 crossing over the Peace River
Festivals/Events
Bartow Antique Fairsecond Saturday of each month. Antiques & collectibles vendors along Main Street, 9AM-3PM.
Bartow's First Fridaythird Friday of each month (except December). Neighborhood street festival with live music, food, games, and local vendors. 6PM-9PM.
- Bloomin' Arts Festival — March. Art festival
- Bartow Craft Fair — November. Over 100 craft booths & vendors. Car show. Food.
- George Street Christmas Lane — Follow the signs around dozens of residential blocks for a tour of holiday lights & decorations. Best enjoyed on Christmas Eve, although the traffic will be bumper-to-bumper through these neighborhoods.
Buy
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Apple Seeds
phone: +1 863 533-6400address: 115 E Main StCountry home decor & gifts. -
Smith & Jones Antiques
phone: +1 863 533-7635address: 575 E Main StFine antique furniture.
Eat
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Catfish Country
phone: +1 863 646-6767address: 2400 E.F. Griffin RdAll-you-can-eat catfish or chicken in evenings. Other country foods also available. -
Cookie Jar Bakeshop
phone: +1 863 519-3333address: 305 E Main StVarious desserts & sweet treats. Light lunches, soups, & salads also available. -
Cool Shop Ice Cream Café
phone: +1 863 533-1365address: 135 S Central Ave -
Curly Tails Barbeque
phone: +1 863 533-5685address: 330 Old Winter Haven RdDelicious barbeque. -
Fred's Southern Kitchen
phone: +1 863 534-3733address: 1380 N Broadway AveCountry/Southern fixins on a large buffet. Menu also available. -
Palace Pizza
phone: +1 863 533-9300address: 105 E Main StAuthentic hand-made pizzas, calzones, & bread knots. -
Stanford on Main
phone: +1 863 226-3220address: 135 E Main St -
Tearoom at the Stanford Inn B&B
phone: +1 863 533-2393address: 555 E Main StTraditional English high tea & lunches.
Sleep
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Good Life RV Resort
phone: +1 863 537-1971address: 6815 S.R. 60 ERV resort with 399 sites. Hookups. Dump station. Laundry. Showers. Pool. Pets allowed. -
Holiday Inn Express
phone: +1 863 533-8070address: 1565 N Broadway AveComplimentary breakfast. Pool. Free wi-fi internet access. -
phone: +1 863 533-0711address: 1035 N Broadway AveComplimentary breakfast. Pool. Pets allowed. On-site restaurant. Free wi-fi internet access.
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phone: +1 863 533-2393address: 555 E Stanford AveBed & breakfast. Six rooms with private baths available. Gourmet breakfast. Pool. Free wi-fi internet access.
Connect
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Alturas Post Office
phone: +1 863 537-1302address: 2760 3rd StLocated in Alturas—a small, rural community a few miles east of Bartow. -
Bartow Post Office
phone: +1 863 519-0419address: 220 S Central Ave -
phone: +1 863 534-0131address: 2150 S. Broadway AveComputers and wi-fi internet access available for public use. Free guest passes for non-Polk County residents. Computers limited to two 1 hr sessions per day.