Sign in with Facebook
reformed presbyterian church
confederate war memorial
polk county historical museumbartow florida
"bartow"
in 1850 fort blount was built on the headwaters of the peace river near present day bartow. the bartow area was home to jacob summerlin "the king of the crackers", who was the first child born in florida after spain ceded florida to the united states. summerlin was the founder of the towns of bartow and orlando. bartow was established in 1867 and was named after francis s. bartow, the first confederate officer killed in the civil war. the bartow area once was a nationaL leader in citrus production but today it's economy is dominated by phosphate minning. bartow is a very interesting old florida town to visit. bartow's historic district offers a number of hostoric buildings and homes.
colonel francis s. bartow (1816-1861) was the first confederate brigade commander killed in the civil war. bartow began his military career as the commander of the oglethorpe light infantry during the battle of fort moultrie. later he became commander of the 8 th georgia infantry. during the manassas campaign bartow was killed during the second battle of bull run.
