Old Polk County Courthouse, courthouse in Florida, United States
The Old Polk County Courthouse is a county courthouse in Bartow, Florida, built in 1908-1909 in the neoclassical style. The structure features tall columns, symmetrical design, and a prominent dome topped with a clock tower.
The building was constructed in 1908-1909 by architects Edward Columbus Hosford and Francis J. Kennard and served as the county's judicial center for decades. In 1989, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places to preserve its historical importance.
The courthouse represents the center of civic life and justice in Polk County during its early growth period. The building remains a gathering place where local residents connect with their community's past and sense of identity.
The building is centrally located in Bartow at East Main Street and is easily accessible on foot. The interior has been converted into the Polk County History Center with exhibits, restored courtrooms, and information about historic sites throughout the region.
The building now houses exhibits featuring prehistoric shark teeth and ancient animal bones, Paleo-Indian artifacts, and interactive spaces where children can dress in pioneer clothing. These displays reveal the long human history of the area stretching back over 1,500 years before the courthouse itself was built.
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