Arcadia, Florida

Arcadia, Florida
City

Arcadia Historic District

Location in DeSoto County and the state of Florida
Country United States
State Florida
County DeSoto
The City of Arcadia 1886
Named for Arcadia Albritton
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
 • Mayor Judy Hinson Wertz Strickland
 • Deputy Mayor Alice Frierson
 • Councilwoman Susan Coker
 • Councilman Joseph Fink
 • Councilman Delshay Turner
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 34265, 34266 & 34269
Area code(s) 863
Website www.arcadia-fl.gov

Arcadia is a city and county seat of DeSoto County, Florida, United States.[1] The population was 7,626 as of the 2013 census. Arcadia's Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Arcadia is home to Deep Creek Preserve.

History

First National Bank of Arcadia pictured in this 1905 postcard
Presbyterian Church pictured in this 1907 postcard

"The Rev. James Madison ("Boss") Hendry (1839–1922) named the town in honor of Arcadia Albritton (1861–1932), a daughter of Thomas H. and Fannie (Waldron) Albritton, pioneer settlers. Arcadia had baked him a cake for his birthday and he appreciated it so much that he named the city after her."

During the late 19th century Arcadia was the county seat of what would become many counties. In 1921 legislation enacted called for Arcadia to remain the county seat of DeSoto County and resulted in the creation of present day counties of Charlotte, Hardee, Glades and Highlands. Prior to this break up Arcadia's population had grown considerably with over 1,000 permanent residents and boasted 3,000 square miles (7,800 km2) for ranching. During Thanksgiving Day in 1905 the town was destroyed by a large-scale fire that originated from a mid-town livery stable. Furthermore the fire was exacerbated because the town did not have a working water system or fire department. The estimated monetary damage was $250,000 but there was no loss of life. Much of the business district was not spared. It would be years before the town recovered.

Oak Street is "main street" in Arcadia. Arcadia's downtown is far more elaborate than neighboring county's downtown areas, as it is older and was their county seat prior to the formation of their present counties. Beside the historic downtown area, Arcadia is also home to many early 20th century homes, houses of worship and several historic public buildings.

From 1917 to 1922, Arcadia was the home of Carlstrom Field, a grass airfield of the U.S. Army Air Service named for deceased aviation pioneer Victor Carlstrom. Carlstrom Field was used for pilot training both during and after World War I. In May 1941 the site again became an airfield for military primary flight training, operated by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute (now Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University). Carlstrom Field, one of several satellite fields in the Fort Myers Area, also trained pilots for the Royal Air Force until its closing in 1945.

Arcadia's historic buildings include the Johnson-Smith House, William Oswell Ralls House and Micajah T. Singleton House.

Historical notes

The city was devastated by Hurricane Charley on Friday, August 13, 2004. Arcadia was featured in an episode of the "Travel Channel" show "Cash & Treasures Treasure Hunter: Kirsten Gum", the episode aired in 2006. The episode included locals helping Kirsten dig for fossil shark teeth in the Peace River. On October 27, 2009, President Barack Obama visited Arcadia. He became the first sitting president to do so.

Geography

Arcadia is located at 27°13'N 81°52'W (27.2176, -81.8599). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.0 square miles (10.4 km2), all but 0.25% of which is land.

Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 7,637 people, 2,955 households, and 1,659 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,635.6 people per square mile (631.1/km²). There were 2,604 housing units at an average density of 644.9 per square mile (248.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.11% White, 28.09% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 7.18% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.05% of the population.

There were 2,289 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 20.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,025, and the median income for a family was $29,593. Males had a median income of $22,518 versus $18,666 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,893. About 20.2% of families and 25.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.1% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The City of Arcadia was created by Act of the Florida Legislature in 1886. Currently the city is governed by a Council/Manager form of government with 5 council members elected at large to 4 year terms of office who in turn appoint a city manager to run the daily operation of the city. The council annually chooses a Mayor and Deputy Mayor who serve in the capacity of chairman of meetings and at ceremonial functions. Also elected by the residents is a City Marshal who acts as a Chief of Police. In addition to police service, the city provides residents with a water/sewer system, trash pick up, planning and zoning services, and public works.

Transportation

Arcadia Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located 1 mile (1.6 km) southeast of the central business district. The airport has had difficulty in recent years in functioning as a "full service airport," however under recent actions of the city council this seems to be changing. The city council recently adopted an airport advisory committee to advise on ways of improving the airport, an airport director was brought on board, similar businesses are looking into relocating at the airport, the airport has begun to receive FDOT grant funding and many improvements are on schedule for this next year. Although on site management remains with the longtime Fixed-based Operator, the airport director is making great strides in bringing life back to the Arcadia Municipal Airport. The airport has a deep history as well as DeSoto County connected to aviation, with the old Carlstrom & Dorr training fields in DeSoto County.

Annual events

Arcadia Municipal Airport hosts an annual Aviation Day event in the month of March. Currently the event consists of a static display of aircraft, bi-plane rides, helicopter rides and a skydiving demo but bigger plans are in the works.

Arcadia is located directly on the Peace River, the major tributary of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary. The river offers some of the finest canoeing, shark tooth hunting and natural habitats in the entire state. Tours, recreational accessories and accommodations are readily available.

Arcadia hosts DeSoto County's annual fair usually in the month of January. While traditional aspects of a fair or carnival are provided, the event also presents livestock shows consisting of swine and cattle, which are presented by the local FFA and 4-H.

Arcadia is also the home of three rodeos. These events, which are managed by the local rodeo association, occur during the months of March, 4 July holiday and in the Fall. From the profits of these events many local charities, college scholarships and causes receive funding.

Arcadia is one of the largest groupings of antique dealers in the state all located conveniently in the downtown area. The local dealer's association sponsors a "4th Saturday Antique Fair" each month from 8am to 3pm, bringing an additional 60 to 120 independent dealers in for the event.

Arcadia has numerous parades throughout the year—a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade, a March Rodeo Parade, a Cinco de Mayo Parade, an Independence Day Parade, an October Homecoming Parade, a Veterans Day Parade and a Christmas Parade.

Media

Notable people

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Arcadia has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. [3]

References

  1. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  2. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ Climate Summary for Arcadia, Florida

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arcadia, Florida.