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Bartow, FL

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Bartow, FL

Bartow is a city and the county seat of Polk County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1851 as Fort Blount, the city was renamed in honor of Francis S. Bartow, the first brigade commander of the Confederate Army to die in combat during the American Civil War. It is part of the Lakeland−Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 787,404, as of July 1, 2022. According to the 2020 Census, the city had a population of 19,309.

Located near the source of the Peace River, Bartow is approximately 39 miles (63 km) east of Tampa, Florida and 50 miles (80 km) southwest of the Greater Orlando area. The city is near the center of "Lightning Alley" and has frequent afternoon thunderstorms in the summer, but typically has sunny and mild winters. Government, mining, and agriculture are the major sectors of the area's economy. The primary roads in the Bartow area are U.S. Route 17, U.S. Route 98 and State Road 60, which provide access to locations throughout Central Florida.

The official city nickname is the "City of Oaks and Azaleas". Three districts within the city are on the National Register of Historic Places. Other historic landmarks include the Old Polk County Courthouse built in 1909 and Bartow High School, formerly Summerlin Institute, the oldest high school in the county. Summerlin Academy now uses the space and was named for the historic school. Although Bartow has been eclipsed in population, importance and name recognition by other cities in the county, particularly Lakeland and Winter Haven, the city has retained its small city heritage and its distinctive Southern culture. With the annexation of 18,000 acres (73 km²) of former phosphate mining land owned by the Clear Springs Land Company, Bartow's population is projected to increase to over 25,000 by 2025 and over 45,000 by 2030.

Bartow is located slightly southwest of the geographical centers of both Polk County and peninsular Florida. The city is approximately 39 miles (63 km) east of Tampa and 51 miles (82 km) southwest of Orlando. The cities of Bartow, Lakeland, and Winter Haven form a roughly equilateral triangle pointed southward, with Bartow being the south point, Lakeland the west point, and Winter Haven the east point. The city is located near the headwaters of the Peace River at Lake Hancock. Bartow is located within the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plain with a terrain consisting of flatland interspersed with gently rolling hills.

According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2000 the city had a total area of 11.4 square miles (30 km²), of which 11.2 square miles (29 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) (1.23%) is water. As a result of the annexation of over 26,000 acres (110 km²) of undeveloped land, primarily the Clear Springs land, the area of the city has quadrupled to over 52 square miles (130 km²) with more annexation still pending.

Bartow places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with various healthcare services and facilities catering to the community. The Bartow Regional Medical Center is a cornerstone of the city's healthcare, offering comprehensive medical services to residents. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Orlando, Grande Lakes offers a luxurious retreat with a range of treatments including massages, facials, and body therapies. The Breakers Palm Beach is situated in Palm Beach, this historic resort features a lavish spa offering ocean-inspired treatments, wellness programs, and beauty services. Lapis Spa at Fontainebleau Miami Beach boasts a stunning design and a wide array of services such as massages, body scrubs, and hydrotherapy. Waldorf Astoria Spa, Boca Raton offers a tranquil setting with personalized treatments, relaxation lounges, and a full-service salon. The Spa at Naples Grande provides a peaceful atmosphere with services like massages, facials, and body wraps, along with a private outdoor meditation lounge.

Top Sites in Bartow, FL: Wonder House, Polk County History Center & Genealogical Library, Luster African American Heritage Museum.

Population: 19,309 (2020). ZIP Codes: 33830. Area code: 863. Elevation: 118 ft (36 m). Area:10.45 sq mi (27.06 km²).

FAQs

What is the history of Bartow, FL?

A Spanish map of the Florida peninsula drawn in 1527 shows a native settlement called Rio de la Paz near present-day Bartow. Little is known about these Native Americans who made their home near present-day Bartow. Their population likely suffered high mortality from European diseases, such as smallpox and measles. The remnants of these pre-Columbian peoples probably joined the Creek Indians who migrated from the north to become the Seminole Indian tribe.

What are the demographics of Bartow, FL?

In 2010, there were 5,909 households, of which 67.4% were families (one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption), 27.4% consisted of individuals, 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were heterosexual married couples living together, 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.12. Among housing units, 87.7% were occupied and 1.4% were for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use; 63.5% of occupied housing units were owner-occupied and 36.5% were occupied by renters. an average density of 155.4 per square mile of land(402.5/km2).

What makes Bartow, FL popular?

There are several annual events in the Bartow area which have a long tradition. Many of these are large events that draw people from other communities to the city such as the Cricket Club Halloween Parade and Carnival held each year since 1942 or the annual Fourth of July Celebration held at Mosaic Park. The Bloomin' Arts Festival is an art show held in early March by the Bartow Art Guild. Every February brings the Annual L.B. Brown Festival at the L.B. Brown House on L.B. Brown Avenue (formally Second Avenue). Bartow's discarded natural Christmas trees are piled around a telephone pole for the annual New Year's Eve bonfire, a unique tradition spanning more than seven decades that has sometimes been covered by national media. 

Sources

City of Bartow

Wikipedia

Bartow Regional Medical Center

Ritz-Carlton Spa

Breakers Palm Beach

Lapis Spa at Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Waldorf Astoria Spa, Boca Raton

The Spa at Naples Grande

Wonder House

Polk County History Center & Genealogical Library

Luster African American Heritage Museum

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