POLK COUNTY, FL HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Polk County, Florida: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the heart of Central Florida, Polk County is a sprawling inland region known for its freshwater lakes, vast citrus groves, and significant phosphate industry. Situated between the major metropolitan areas of Tampa and Orlando, its history is a story of Seminole Indian lands, rugged pioneer settlement, and the development of agricultural and industrial empires that shaped the state.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Polk County’s formation from two large parent counties is critical for locating the correct records for early ancestors in the region.

  • 1861: County Formed: Polk County was established on February 8, 1861, by an act of the Florida Legislature.
  • Parent Counties: It was created from the eastern portion of Hillsborough County and the western portion of Brevard County. Records for settlers in this area prior to 1861 would be located in the records of those two parent counties.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Polk County’s boundaries were later altered. In 1921, its southern portion was used to help create Highlands County. Researchers with ancestors in towns like Frostproof or Fort Meade must be aware of this boundary change.
  • Name Origin: The county is named for James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, who was in office when Florida became the 27th state in 1845.
  • County Seat History: The first temporary county seat was located at a former military site, Fort Blount. Shortly after its creation, the county seat was permanently established in Bartow, which was formally named in 1867.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: For centuries, the land was home to Native American groups, most notably the Seminole people. The region was a major theater of the Second and Third Seminole Wars (1835-1858), with numerous forts, like Fort Meade and Fort Fraser, established by the U.S. Army.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: After the conclusion of the Seminole Wars, American pioneers began to establish settlements, primarily driven by the cattle industry. The economy was transformed in the late 19th century with two major developments: the arrival of the railroad, which allowed for the large-scale cultivation and shipment of citrus, and the discovery of massive phosphate rock deposits in the 1880s. The “Bone Valley” region of Polk County quickly became one of the world’s leading sources of phosphate, a status it still holds today.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Polk County.

  • Courthouse:
    • Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court: Located at 255 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830. This office is the primary repository for county records including probate (wills and estates), civil and criminal court cases, land records (deeds), and marriage licenses from the county’s formation in 1861.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Florida began in 1917, though some inconsistent records may exist at the county level prior to that. Official certificates are held by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. For deaths prior to 1917, researchers should check newspapers for obituaries, cemetery records, and church records.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1861 to the present are held by the Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library: Located within the Polk County History Center at 100 E Main St, Bartow, FL 33830. This is the premier resource for local and family history research in the county.
    • Lakeland Public Library: Located at 100 Lake Morton Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801. As the library for the county’s largest city, it has a strong local history and genealogy collection.
    • State Archives of Florida: (Located in Tallahassee) This is the central repository for state-level historical records, including military records, state land records, and other collections essential for Florida research.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Lake County
    • Orange County
    • Osceola County
    • Highlands County
    • Hardee County
    • Manatee County
    • Hillsborough County
    • Sumter County
    • Pasco County

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks