Thursday, December 29, 2011

Polk County Citrus Monument on the Old Tampa Highway

According to us-highways.com, this stretch of road between Osceola and Polk Counties was once "part of the Lee-Jackson Highway, Dixie Highway, and Central Florida Highway (Old Florida Route 2) and later US 92 and US 17 northeast of Loughman, Florida. The mostly brick road, now labeled the Old Tampa Highway, stretches from CR 532 to US 17-92, just a few miles south of I-4. At the start there is a "no dumping" sign, and just beyond that someone had dumped a load of trash. Otherwise this short stretch of road offers scenic glimpse of a old rural Florida highway.


About midway down the road's length is a large concrete marker, marking the county line between Polk and Osceola Counties. "Imperial" Polk County erected 3 of these markers in 1930, the other two are on US 92 between Lakeland and Plant City and on US 98 northwest of Lakeland. In 1997 the Polk County Tax Collector incorporated the marker into its official seal. Ironically the seal has portrays a"Western sun shines the light of knowledge onto the perfect side of the highway monument", "to demonstrate the Tax Collector's relationship and commitment to education." However, on the side of the marker that faces the road, "Citrus" is misspelled "Citurs." The original purpose of these markers, according to the County Tax Collector's website was to "welcome visitors into Polk County and promote tourism and citrus."


Any frequent reader of this blog, knows that I tend to make numerous typos, (thank God for spell check.) I'm just glad my typos are not set in stone!





7 comments:

  1. I actually live on this road!! My friends live directly in front of this monument and we laugh every time we see people stop to take pictures. It is a beautiful place to live and visit, and be sure to wave to the locals! Oh, and be careful once you get past Labor Camp Rd, that area is a little rough for tourists.

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    1. Hi Katie,
      How would I get to this road? I'd love to take my mom over it. We love historical areas. Also, do you know how long the road is?

      Thanks,
      Shelly

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    2. can be found off of CR 54 which is also called Ronald Reagan Parkway. The road is Old Kissimmee Road. The name probably changed mid way up. Ronald Reagan parkway is between US Hwy 27 and US 17-92 in Loughman Florida which is just north of Haines City and Davenport Florida.

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  2. Hi Katie is your friend Sam?

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  3. can be found off of CR 54 which is also called Ronald Reagan Parkway. The road is Old Kissimmee Road. The name probably changed mid way up. Ronald Reagan parkway is between US Hwy 27 and US 17-92 in Loughman Florida which is just north of Haines City and Davenport Florida.

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  4. Many of us old Florida Natives, think this marker should be preserved in place. It will loose its historic value if moved to another location with none of the character of brick roadway and lovely flora and fauna one might have experienced in the 1930's upon entering Polk County from the North.
    There are those who think it necessary to move it, so if you have a moment contact the Polk County FL Board of County Commission in Bartow and let them know there are still some who think it should be left alone. Its 86 yrs old, leave it for another 86 and then think about moving it. It is best viewed if traveling south from the Polk/Osceola County Line Road just off 17-92. You will experience the bricks before arriving at the marker on your right. H. Rust, Davenport Historical Society

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  5. I've seen the one on 98 east of Zephyrhills.Is Citrus misspelled on all 3 markers?

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