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Fort Meade

oldest city in Polk County

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Founded: 1849
Place: Fort Meade, Polk County (Ridge extension)
District: The Ridge
Status as of 12 September 2026: Operating city, population 5,100 at the 2020 census; reported in the module's optional Polk extension.
Connections: 3 edges, 3 distinct neighbours · betweenness 0.051 (rank 30 of 243) · location and lineage only 0.022 (rank 27) · outside share 0.00
Confidence: High · sources: [WFM] [WFSR] [CFAN2] (register)

Established in 1849 on the military road from Fort Brooke to Fort Pierce and incorporated in 1885; the Florida Southern Railway's Charlotte Harbor Division runs through in 1886 [WFM][WFSR]. Peace River Packing Company packs citrus here from 1928 and the phosphate district works the ground to the west [WFM][CFAN2].

Connections

Location and lineage

tied venture or seat ofPeace River Packing Companythe town packinghouse1928 to present
tied venture or seat ofSouth Fort Meade minethe mine straddling the Polk and Hardee lineto present

Support

supported byFlorida Southern Railwaythe Charlotte Harbor Division runs through the old fort town1886