Florida Southern Railway

the railroad that made the Peace River towns

Founded

1886 to 1896

Evidence class

historic or successor

Place

Bartow to Punta Gorda through the Peace River valley

District

Peace River valley

Status as of 12 September 2026

Long absorbed; the corridor passes to the Atlantic Coast Line and is lifted in stages.

Connections

6 edges, 6 distinct neighbours · betweenness 0.150 (rank 8 of 243) · location and lineage only 0.076 (rank 8) · outside share 0.17

Confidence

Medium · sources: [WFSR] [FHBW] [WARC] [WZS] [WBG] (register)

Chartered in 1879 and running its first train to Punta Gorda on 24 July 1886, the line creates or transforms Fort Meade, Bowling Green, Wauchula, Zolfo Springs and Arcadia in a single year [WFSR][FHBW][WARC].

Connections

Location and lineage

• foundedBowling Greenbuilt through on 40 acres given by the town founder1886
• foundedZolfo Springsdepot and post office established the year the line comes through1886
• foundedArcadiathe boom the line sparks incorporates the town in 18871886
• foundedWauchulathe arrival turns the fort settlement into a commercial center1886
• land or role moved toAtlantic Coast Line Railroadthe Plant System, which absorbed the railway in 1896, is sold to the Atlantic Coast Line1902

Support

• supportedFort Meadethe Charlotte Harbor Division runs through the old fort town1886