Fort Meade, Florida Facts for Kids

Fort Meade is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. It's a part of the larger Lakeland–Winter Haven area. In 2020, about 5,100 people lived here.

The city got its name from George Meade, who was an Army lieutenant. He served in Florida after the Second Seminole War, a conflict between the United States and the Seminole people. Fort Meade is home to Fort Meade Middle-Senior High School and many old, historic buildings. The Streamsong resort is also nearby. People who enjoy kayaking and canoeing love visiting this area.

History of Fort Meade
- Historic Homes and Buildings to Explore
Geography and Climate
Economy and Growth
Population and Demographics
Blueway Community Status
Local Media
Fort Meade Public Library
- History of the Library
Points of Interest
Transportation in Fort Meade
Notable People from Fort Meade
Images for kids
See also

History of Fort Meade

Lightsey House pictured in a 1907 postcard

Fort Meade is the oldest city in Polk County. It started in 1849 as a military post. This post was built along a new road that connected Tampa (Fort Brooke) to Fort Pierce. This road was made after the Second Seminole War. Lieutenant George Meade helped plan the town and the road, and his commander named the fort after him.

Around the time of the American Civil War, a group of volunteer soldiers called the "Hickory Boys" was formed at the fort. The main business area in the 1880s was on old Wire Street, which is now Broadway. This area was destroyed by four big fires over time. Today, there are over 150 buildings in Fort Meade that are recognized as historic landmarks. In the 1890s, the Fort Meade Street Railway used horse-drawn carts to move people around town.

The oldest known burial in Fort Meade's Evergreen Cemetery is John I. Hooker, who passed away in 1862. Christ Church (Episcopal), located at 1 North Cleveland Avenue, was built in 1889. It has a unique style with elements of Gothic Revival architecture. This church was even used in the HBO movie Judgment in 1990.

Future Confederate General Stonewall Jackson was stationed at the fort in 1851. During the Civil War, Union forces burned the town in 1864. Because of this, all the original buildings were destroyed, except for the second fort, which was taken apart in the 1890s. Fort Meade has over 300 homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A few of these homes date back to the late 1800s.

Historic Homes and Buildings to Explore

Old Fort Meade School House Museum, built around 1885
Rev. Wm James Reid House, built around 1900
W.O. Williams/R.C. McClellan House, built around 1898

Geography and Climate

Fort Meade is about 20 miles southwest of Legoland Florida in Winter Haven. The city is in the Central Florida Highlands area, which is part of the Atlantic coastal plain. The land here is mostly flat, but it also has some gently rolling hills.

The city covers a total area of about 8.55 square miles (22.15 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Fort Meade has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters.

Economy and Growth

Fort Meade has seen some good economic growth. Mosaic Corporation built a large, world-class golf and spa resort nearby called Streamsong. This resort covers 10,000 acres.

Legoland Florida opened on October 15, 2011. Its opening has helped the economy in Fort Meade and the surrounding areas. Many of the old, historic homes in the city are being bought and fixed up.

Population and Demographics

Fort Meade's population has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown:

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	105	—
1890	267	154.3%
1900	261	−2.2%
1910	1,165	346.4%
1920	2,029	74.2%
1930	1,981	−2.4%
1940	1,992	0.6%
1950	2,803	40.7%
1960	4,014	43.2%
1970	4,374	9.0%
1980	5,546	26.8%
1990	4,976	−10.3%
2000	5,691	14.4%
2010	5,626	−1.1%
2020	5,100	−9.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 5,100 people living in Fort Meade. There were 2,164 households and 1,302 families. In 2010, there were 5,626 people, 2,199 households, and 1,659 families.

Blueway Community Status

On July 20, 2011, Fort Meade became one of the first cities in Florida to be called a "Blueway" community by the Florida Paddlers Association. The Fort Meade Outdoor Recreation Area is a popular spot for people who enjoy kayaking and canoeing. It's also where the annual Peace River Paddle event is held.

Local Media

Fort Meade is part of the Tampa/St. Pete television market. This is one of the largest TV markets in the country. The city is also part of the local Lakeland/Winter Haven radio market.

Fort Meade Public Library

The Fort Meade Public Library is a part of the Polk County Library Cooperative. You can find the library at 75 East Broadway, Fort Meade, Florida 33841. The library works to offer learning chances and encourage reading in the Fort Meade community.

History of the Library

The Fort Meade Public Library started in 1934, thanks to the Fort Meade's Woman's Club. At first, they didn't have enough space in their clubhouse. So, a real estate broker named Mr. Ben Johnson offered a free room at 212 West Broadway for the library. Club members asked people in the community to donate books and magazines, and they also gave their own materials. Volunteers from the club ran the library, and it was open only a few days a week.

After several years, the library needed more space. It moved to a room on the second floor of city hall. Mrs. T.K. White managed the library, keeping it open 15 hours a week. But again, after a few years, the library needed to move. The Woman's Club got permission to use the old Chamber of Commerce building at 75 East Broadway for the public library.

When efforts to get state funding for the library didn't work, Mr. Grady Courtney, the city manager, called a meeting. The city decided to take over the library's responsibility. On May 1, 1965, Mrs. Codey Shirley became the library manager. She started using the Dewey Decimal System to organize the books. At this time, the library had 4,000 items and received 200 donated books from the Bartow Public Library. A new library building was finished in 1976. The Fort Meade Public Library was the first library to join the Polk County Library Cooperative.

Points of Interest

Patterson Park

Transportation in Fort Meade

Major highways that go through Fort Meade include:

US 17 – This highway runs north and south through the middle of town. Going north, it leads to Bartow. Going south, it leads to Wauchula.
US 98 – This highway runs with US 17 on the north side of town. Then, US 98 turns east at East Broadway Avenue and goes towards Frostproof and US 27.

Notable People from Fort Meade

Jason Baker (born 1978), a Florida State Contemporary Fiddle Champion in 2003.
Melony Bell, (born 1961), a politician.
Francis A. Hendry (1883–1917), an early settler and politician in Florida.
George W. Hendry (1838–1914), an early settler, land developer, and farmer in Florida.
Onterio McCalebb (born 1989), a former American football player for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Andrew McCutchen (born 1986), a professional MLB outfielder who was born and grew up in Fort Meade.
Dan White (1908–1980), an award-winning American actor known for his roles in Western films and TV shows.

Images for kids

Christ Church built in 1889.
Lightsey House pictured in a 1907 postcard.

Fort Meade, Florida facts for kids

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