Tour page 1
Fort Meade Museum
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.
Train Station
The original train station was more simple in its structure and located several blocks south. The 1914 station found across from the Museum conjures up the image of a once crowded street. Broadway would have been filled with excited folks waiting for friends and family to arrive or depart for some rail venture on the train, as well as shipments of merchandise and goods. This building is owned by Peace River Packing Company and is not open to the public. But the red brick and “Fort Meade” sign remain as a reminder of why “New Town” was constructed.
Wide Streets
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.
Tour page 2
Lewis Campus
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.
Art Deco in Fort Meade !
At the corner of S Oak Ave. and 1st St. SE, turn left. You’ll be traveling alongside Lewis Campus’s cafeteria on the right. At the stop sign at the end of the block (1st St. SE and Pine Ave.) on the southwest corner, you’ll see the White House, which is duplication in construction to Jeanette Lewis’s home a few blocks away. Now turn right and look at the side of the building which was once the entrance into the Fort Meade High School gym. This architecture and lettering depicts the only Art Deco found in Fort Meade.
Christ Episcopal Church
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.
Tour page 3
Seminole Conflict
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.
Ghosts of Old Town
As you turn right on E. Broadway you’ll see two older homes .. one on your right and one on your left. These are original structures built in “Old Town” Fort Meade when it was located near Peace River prior to relocating west to benefit from the railroad. Can’t you imagine sitting on those balconies enjoying the cool breeze at night? Oh, “Old Town” was located between Orange Avenue and Washington Avenue.
Crossing the "Peas" River
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.
Tour page 4
Beautiful Landing
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!
One of Florida's Most Historic Sites
Return to US 98 E and at the Park exit turn left, cross back over the bridge and then turn right on N. Edgewood Drive. Continue north to the Performing Arts Auditorium which is on the right before the Fort Meade Middle Senior High School. At the Auditorium entrance is monument recognizing one of Florida’s most historic sites.
Yankee Town
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.
Tour page 5
Evergreen Cemetery
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)
Beautiful Historic Homes
The BEST WAY to enjoy Fort Meade’s eclectic Historic Northeast Residential District with its cracker homes moved from mining communities, Yankee summer retreats, late-1800/early-1900 gentry homes, and even today’s attractive residences, is to take the north / south route. (Of course, if you want to turn east / west, do it!)
As you travel along these thoroughfares, you’ll see many homes worthy to slow down a little and take in their personality and beauty. These are but a few: From Washington Avenue travel to 1st Street NE. Notice the three-story home at the corner of 1st Street and Hendry Ave. Continue on Washington Avenue to E. Broadway.
Turn right on E. Broadway to Hendry Ave. and continue to 3rd Street. On 3rd Street turn left and go to Church Ave. Turn right.
Follow Church Ave. to 6th Street. Turn left and go to Polk Ave. Follow Polk Ave. back to 1st St.
At the corner of 1st and Church Ave. is one of Fort Meade's oldest homes. Now owned by Beverly Barnett-Crockett.
At the corner of 1st St. and Polk Ave. is another lovely three-story home owned by daughter of colorful and respected “Dr. Varn” who treated the locals for many years.
Promised Land
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.”
Tour page 6
Heritage Park
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.
On the National Historic Registry
Turn right on E. Broadway and go to Oak Ave. where you’ll turn right. The street has many lovely homes of yesteryear including The Marsh House in the 500 block that is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, built 1901.
Close the deal
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.