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You may want to purchase books by Dr. Cantor Brown, Jr. and Robert M. White. Their research and insight are expressive and accurate for those interested in the history of Fort Meade. Locations to purchase books: Fort Meade Library and Fort Meade Historical Society. Also, check out www.myflorida.com. Click Floridian. 

BEGIN at the Fort Meade Historical Society

The Museum continues to be the Treasure Box of Fort Meade. Donated to the City of Fort Meade by the Ragon Barnett Jr. family, the original site was on the first block of South Lanier and was a school, a hotel, and a residence prior to its move to the present location. Museum Park is home to the Train Museum on its own track, which is available for meetings and special occasions. The gazebo was built by local volunteers in honor of Triangle Park that once graced the intersection of Charleston and Broadway. The Society hosts a traditional May Pole Event presented by Lewis Anna Woodbury and Child Development Center students. The Society’s annual Country Fair is held the 3rd Saturday of November. Hours are 10 a.m. – Noon, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Admission is free.

Traveling east on Broadway gives a picturesque view of the Historic Downtown District, known once for the widest main street around. On the north side of the street is SunTrust Bank, once The First State Bank, which has retained its basic historic structure. Across the street on the corner of French and Broadway is Southern Posh, which was once the location of Fort Meade’s Post Office.  While at the Charleston/ Broadway intersection look to your left and you’ll see the Veterans Memorial, which is also the location of the Population Center of Florida marker. Now take a little detour to the south (turn right) and then turn east (left) onto 2nd Street   SE.  

Turn left onto Oak Street SE to find the campus of Lewis Elementary #11, named in honor of its benefactor and champion Dr. O.B. Lewis. With its huge oaks and original main building intact, the school was the educational genesis for many Fort Meade children. 

Continue north to East Broadway. While still in an historic mood, turn right and travel east. (You’ll pick up all the Northeast section on the way back.) 

Immediately, on your north is the First United Methodist Church, whose congregation was the first to construct a church in Fort Meade. East Broadway’s hammock of large Oak trees provide a peaceful drive toward the river and is the site for the Presbyterian Covenant House, and the First Baptist Church of Fort Meade. Christ, Episcopal Church with its familiar traditional architecture is located east of the Baptist Church and is on the National Register of Historic Places, built 1889.

Continue on E. Broadway (US 98 E) and at Church Avenue, turn right to travel to Monument Park. This is not a site of a Seminole battle but rather this city-owned property is dedicated as a tribute to the Florida Volunteers of the Seminole Wars.

Continue to circle Monument Park until traveling north on Hendry Avenue and returning to E. Broadway. 

Continue toward Peace River and as you prepare to cross the bridge take note that the area is Lt. George Meade crossed the river … noted to be the most narrow and shallow traveling north. This was also the site of the practice shooting range for the troops of the Second Seminole War.  Talakchopko translated means Place Where Long Peas Are Eaten. 

Cross the bridge and continue around the curve. Turn right at the Fort Meade Outdoor Recreation Area. Travel to the road that takes you to the landing where folks enjoy fishing from and picnics on the banks. There are several Native American archeological sites along Peace River registered with the State of Florida. This area was the site of an annual rendezvous held for thousands of years by tribes as they migrated across the land. Oh, if these cypress could talk!

When leaving the school property, turn left on N. Edgewood and immediately turn right onto 6th Street   NE. Then travel to Bellview Dr. and turn left. Here you’ll find a row of quaint homes built in the first half of the 1900’s known as “Yankee Town” since they were the get-away vacation homes of folks from up North. The English brought horse racing to Fort Meade and the track was Bellview and included property that is now owned by Evergreen Cemetery and the Polk County School Board.

At the end of Bellview Dr., turn left onto 3rd Street NE. Turn right onto Washington Ave. N. and follow Evergreen Cemetery.  The oldest area will be on your right. “Of all the readable markers in cemeteries in and around Fort Meade, the one which dates earliest is the marker of John J. Hooker. He died January 2, 1862, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Meade. He was born September 22, 1822, in Clinch County,  Georgia.” (History of Fort Meade, Florida 1849-1960 / Robert M. White)

At 1st St. turn right and follow 1st to Orange Ave. Again turn right and follow Orange   Ave. to 9th   St. this time. Across 9th St., is a pasture and a thatch or two of trees. Look very, very hard and you’ll see the structure of one of Fort Meade’s oldest homes built by the Flood family who immigrated from Ireland. At the time it was built, this area was considered to be in the “country.” 

Now turn left onto 9th St. and then turn left at Perry   Ave. Perry will dead-end and Heritage Park will be on 3rd St. Take time to read the plaque and enjoy the shade. This is the location of the “Second Fort” relocated from Peace River.

At the end of Perry turn left onto 3rd St. and take a left at Cleveland. Notice the pretty yellow home at the corner of 1st St. Continue on Cleveland Ave. and you’ll pass the Brown House built in 1904 by the Mayor of Fort Meade. It is owned by Christ, Episcopal Church now.  Continue to E. Broadway and notice the Reid House on the left. 

Continue North on Oak Ave. to 6th Street. Turn left to Lanier. Turn right to 9th. Turn left to Charleston (US 17/98 N). Patterson Park will be to your left adjacent to American Legion Post #23. Patterson Park on the west is very inviting. Great walking trail and good fishing, as well. And if you still want to see beautiful country … continue South on Charleston to Broadway. Turn left (east) continuing to Orange Ave. Turn right. Orange turns into Mt. Pisgah Road. The two mile stretch is awesome.