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Davenport
Polk County is located directly within the middle of the state of Florida, making this area one of the most sought after in terms of development and residential housing. About equal distance from both the east and west coasts of the state as well as halfway between the southern most tip of Florida and the Georgia borderline, giving this area a strategic advantage in terms of location; nothing is too far out of reach of the residents of Polk County, making the entire state either their playground or office.
Polk County is one of the largest concentrations of population in the southeast, boasting a population of 550,000 residents with just about 7.8 million living within a hundred miles of the area. Polk County is also one of the fastest growing areas in Central Florida, expanding much since its early days as a mining community. One of the early and primary industries of Polk County was the business of phosphate mining, especially around Fort Meade where the world’s largest deposit of phosphate rock was found, an area known as the “Bone Valley Deposit.” At a time, Polk County was producing approximately 75 percent of the nation's phosphate supply and about 25 percent of the world supply. Polk County is also the 2nd largest farmland area in the state, with an estimated 630,000 acres among all of its farms.
In the Northeastern area of Polk County resides the small township of Davenport Florida. Just 10 miles away from Disney World and 30 miles from the active city of Orlando, Davenport caters to a large majority of travelers and tourists to the area. The population of Davenport is just under 3,000 citizens but that number grows much more during certain points in the year, when travel to the theme parks and Orlando itself is high.
Polk County is one of the largest concentrations of population in the southeast, boasting a population of 550,000 residents with just about 7.8 million living within a hundred miles of the area. Polk County is also one of the fastest growing areas in Central Florida, expanding much since its early days as a mining community. One of the early and primary industries of Polk County was the business of phosphate mining, especially around Fort Meade where the world’s largest deposit of phosphate rock was found, an area known as the “Bone Valley Deposit.” At a time, Polk County was producing approximately 75 percent of the nation's phosphate supply and about 25 percent of the world supply. Polk County is also the 2nd largest farmland area in the state, with an estimated 630,000 acres among all of its farms.
In the Northeastern area of Polk County resides the small township of Davenport Florida. Just 10 miles away from Disney World and 30 miles from the active city of Orlando, Davenport caters to a large majority of travelers and tourists to the area. The population of Davenport is just under 3,000 citizens but that number grows much more during certain points in the year, when travel to the theme parks and Orlando itself is high.
Much of Davenport’s appeal is its proximity to the local parks but also its friendly small hometown feel. Reasons why the town is often a vacation and rental housing location for many Europeans (namely the British) during their stays in the sunshine state. Many British tourists prefer to rent houses or small apartments, as opposed to crowded hotels on International Drive or in Kissimmee, while they are on holiday here in the Disney and Orlando area.
The annual renters that come to Davenport have helped this town’s economy tremendously; helping Davenport continue plans for local expansion and continue to preserve the small town atmosphere that it is famous for.
The annual renters that come to Davenport have helped this town’s economy tremendously; helping Davenport continue plans for local expansion and continue to preserve the small town atmosphere that it is famous for.
Polk County Attractions
Polk County is located directly within the middle of the state of Florida, making this area one of the most sought after in terms of development and residential housing. About equal distance from both the east and west coasts of the state as well as halfway between the southern most tip of Florida and the Georgia borderline, giving this area a strategic advantage in terms of location; nothing is too far out of reach of the residents of Polk County, making the entire state either their playground or office.
Polk County is one of the largest concentrations of population in the southeast, boasting a population of 550,000 residents with just about 7.8 million living within a hundred miles of the area. Polk County is also one of the fastest growing areas in Central Florida, expanding much since its early days as a mining community. One of the early and primary industries of Polk County was the business of phosphate mining, especially around Fort Meade where the world’s largest deposit of phosphate rock was found, an area known as the “Bone Valley Deposit.” At a time, Polk County was producing approximately 75 percent of the nation's phosphate supply and about 25 percent of the world supply. Polk County is also the 2nd largest farmland area in the state, with an estimated 630,000 acres among all of its farms.
In the Northeastern area of Polk County resides the small township of Davenport Florida. Just 10 miles away from Disney World and 30 miles from the active city of Orlando FL, Davenport caters to a large majority of travelers and tourists to the area. The population of Davenport is just under 2,000 citizens but that number grows much more during certain points in the year, when travel to the theme parks and Orlando itself is high.
Polk County has a long history of providing some of Central Florida’s best recreational outlets, since the 1930’s where many of the county’s longest standing and most known attractions were established. Florida’s first theme attraction, Cypress Gardens, was founded in the Polk County town of Winter Haven in the mid-1930’s. Cypress Gardens, sadly closed but has been taken over by the new Legoland Park and some of the beauty of the previous park have been retained. Bok Tower Gardens — a vast and variety floral garden was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge as a nation landmark some years earlier. These early locales began a tradition of Polk County providing some of the most unique entertainment and escape opportunities anywhere in Central Florida.
Today, people make it a point to visit these features as well as the Fantasy of Flight and the Sun ‘n' Fun Air Museum, two other Polk County favorites. Citizens of Polk County are also only short distance from some of the state’s other popular attractions, including; the Walt Disney World resort area, Universal Orlando, including the Harry Potter Theme Park & Islands of Adventure, Sea World, and Busch Gardens to name a few. To learn some more about what adventure awaits you in the area, read more about Polk County destinations below.
Polk County is one of the largest concentrations of population in the southeast, boasting a population of 550,000 residents with just about 7.8 million living within a hundred miles of the area. Polk County is also one of the fastest growing areas in Central Florida, expanding much since its early days as a mining community. One of the early and primary industries of Polk County was the business of phosphate mining, especially around Fort Meade where the world’s largest deposit of phosphate rock was found, an area known as the “Bone Valley Deposit.” At a time, Polk County was producing approximately 75 percent of the nation's phosphate supply and about 25 percent of the world supply. Polk County is also the 2nd largest farmland area in the state, with an estimated 630,000 acres among all of its farms.
In the Northeastern area of Polk County resides the small township of Davenport Florida. Just 10 miles away from Disney World and 30 miles from the active city of Orlando FL, Davenport caters to a large majority of travelers and tourists to the area. The population of Davenport is just under 2,000 citizens but that number grows much more during certain points in the year, when travel to the theme parks and Orlando itself is high.
Polk County has a long history of providing some of Central Florida’s best recreational outlets, since the 1930’s where many of the county’s longest standing and most known attractions were established. Florida’s first theme attraction, Cypress Gardens, was founded in the Polk County town of Winter Haven in the mid-1930’s. Cypress Gardens, sadly closed but has been taken over by the new Legoland Park and some of the beauty of the previous park have been retained. Bok Tower Gardens — a vast and variety floral garden was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge as a nation landmark some years earlier. These early locales began a tradition of Polk County providing some of the most unique entertainment and escape opportunities anywhere in Central Florida.
Today, people make it a point to visit these features as well as the Fantasy of Flight and the Sun ‘n' Fun Air Museum, two other Polk County favorites. Citizens of Polk County are also only short distance from some of the state’s other popular attractions, including; the Walt Disney World resort area, Universal Orlando, including the Harry Potter Theme Park & Islands of Adventure, Sea World, and Busch Gardens to name a few. To learn some more about what adventure awaits you in the area, read more about Polk County destinations below.
Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
Bok Tower Gardens, a “must see Florida attraction” centrally located in historic Lake Wales, between Tampa and Orlando among rolling hills of citrus!
Nearly 50 acres of Olmsted gardens surround Pinewood Estate, a 1930s Mediterranean-style mansion, and the 205-foot art deco and neo-Gothic Singing Tower housing one of the world’s finest carillons with 60 bells that ring every half hour and during daily concerts.
The National Historic Landmark was dedicated in 1929 as a gift from Dutch immigrant Edward Bok, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and world peace advocate.
Nearly 50 acres of Olmsted gardens surround Pinewood Estate, a 1930s Mediterranean-style mansion, and the 205-foot art deco and neo-Gothic Singing Tower housing one of the world’s finest carillons with 60 bells that ring every half hour and during daily concerts.
The National Historic Landmark was dedicated in 1929 as a gift from Dutch immigrant Edward Bok, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and world peace advocate.
Chalet Suzanne, Lake Wales
Chalet Suzanne (once known as the Carleton Club) is a historic site in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 3800 Chalet Suzanne Drive. On July 24, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Originally envisioned as a magnificent residential resort appealing to people who enjoyed golf and tennis, theCarleton Club was a vision of cheese baron James L. Kraft and Carl and Bertha Hinshaw. Kraft soon bowed out of the enterprise. When Carl Hinshaw died in 1931, Bertha Hinshaw opened her home as a restaurant and inn to travelers, serving exotic recipes on fine china that she had gathered around the world. Among those who visited and helped to publicize the restaurant and inn was Duncan Hines.
In 1943 the Chalet was largely destroyed by fire. Hinshaw quickly rebuilt it using salvaged parts from the horse stables, a game room, servants’ quarters and a chicken house. This unusual design, consisting of 14 different levels, is still in use today.
The Chalet has been featured in many publications, among them The New Yorker, Vogue, Life, Better Homes and Gardens, Cosmopolitan, National Geographic, Forbes and Time magazines. Bertha Louise Hinshaw died in 1973 at the age of 90; the Chalet continues under the ownership and management of the Hinshaw family.
Originally envisioned as a magnificent residential resort appealing to people who enjoyed golf and tennis, theCarleton Club was a vision of cheese baron James L. Kraft and Carl and Bertha Hinshaw. Kraft soon bowed out of the enterprise. When Carl Hinshaw died in 1931, Bertha Hinshaw opened her home as a restaurant and inn to travelers, serving exotic recipes on fine china that she had gathered around the world. Among those who visited and helped to publicize the restaurant and inn was Duncan Hines.
In 1943 the Chalet was largely destroyed by fire. Hinshaw quickly rebuilt it using salvaged parts from the horse stables, a game room, servants’ quarters and a chicken house. This unusual design, consisting of 14 different levels, is still in use today.
The Chalet has been featured in many publications, among them The New Yorker, Vogue, Life, Better Homes and Gardens, Cosmopolitan, National Geographic, Forbes and Time magazines. Bertha Louise Hinshaw died in 1973 at the age of 90; the Chalet continues under the ownership and management of the Hinshaw family.
Legoland, Winter haven, Florida
Winter Haven, Florida - The BIGGEST Legoland in the World
Legoland Florida is a theme park in Winter Haven. It opened on Saturday, October 15, 2011and encompasses 145 acres of the former Cypress Gardens amusement park, making Legoland Florida the world's largest Legoland park.
More than 50 rides, shows and attractions are featured in the park based on those at other Legoland parks. The Jungle Coaster ride from Legoland Windsor was transferred and relocated to the park and renamed Test Track. Additionally, the historic gardens which Cypress Gardens was known for are maintained as part of the park. The Splash Island Waterpark was kept and is a separately ticketed admission. Also 4 attractions originally from Cypress Gardens were renovated, renamed and incorporated into the park including The Triple Hurricane wooden rollercoaster, the Okeechobee Rampage family coaster and Swamp Thing a Vekoma family inverted coaster. The Island in the Sky ride was also kept and updated for 2011.
More than 50 rides, shows and attractions are featured in the park based on those at other Legoland parks. The Jungle Coaster ride from Legoland Windsor was transferred and relocated to the park and renamed Test Track. Additionally, the historic gardens which Cypress Gardens was known for are maintained as part of the park. The Splash Island Waterpark was kept and is a separately ticketed admission. Also 4 attractions originally from Cypress Gardens were renovated, renamed and incorporated into the park including The Triple Hurricane wooden rollercoaster, the Okeechobee Rampage family coaster and Swamp Thing a Vekoma family inverted coaster. The Island in the Sky ride was also kept and updated for 2011.
