Acton, Florida facts for kids
Acton was a small community that once existed in Polk County, Florida. It was located about two miles east of Lakeland and actually started before Lakeland did. This community was founded by English people who came from Great Britain.
Acton was established in 1884 and was named after a famous person known as Lord Acton. However, the community began to shrink around 1889 as people started moving to Lakeland. It completely disappeared after a very cold period called the Great Freeze of 1894. Today, a special historical marker in Interlachen Park in Lakeland helps us remember Acton's story.
A railroad line, the South Florida Railroad, used to advertise routes that passed through Acton. An Episcopal church was also built in the community, but it later moved to Lakeland.
The Story of Acton
How Acton Began
Acton was officially planned and mapped out in 1884. It was given its name in honor of Lord Acton. The community even had its own post office, which opened in 1884 and stayed open until 1889.
Why Acton Disappeared
The main reason Acton started to disappear was because of a new railroad. When this railroad was built, it made the nearby town of Lakeland a better place for businesses and people to settle. As a result, many people started to move from Acton to Lakeland. This caused Acton's population to get smaller and smaller until it eventually vanished.
