Arcadia Florida

Arcadia was originally named by Reverend Jamesdismay wound up in the path of a devastating storm.
Hendry in honor and appreciation of Arcadia Albritton,IN 2006 Arcadia was featured in an episode of the
a daughter of pioneer settlers who had baked him a"Travel Channel" show "Cash & Treasures Treasure
cake in honor of his birthday.Hunter: Kirsten Gum". Among other featured events,
Boasting a population of nearly 7,500, it is the countrythe episode included locals helping Kirsten dig for fossil
seat of DeSoto county. Up until the late 1800's Arcadiaskark teeth in the nearby Peace River. Arcadia's local
was the county seat of what would become 5economy is heavily reliant upon agriculture and tourism.
different counties. In 1921 Florida legislation resulted inPrimary agriculture elements include citrus, cattle and
DeSoto, Charlotte,Hardee,Glades, and Highlandswatermelons. Because of the extremely high cost of
counties being created from what had originally beenreal estate in surrounding areas,Arcadia has
DeSoto county.experienced a surge in home development. It being
As with many similar towns in Florida, a military basecost effective to relocate in Arcadia and commute to
was nearby, Carlstrom Field, a grass airfield maintainedjobs in the surrounding areas. During the winter months
by the U.S. Army Air Service.It was used to train pilotsmany retirees from the mid west relocate to sunny
before and during both major wars. Suffering the fateArcadia for a winter of relaxation and relief from the
of many other bases, it was closed at the end ofcold mid-western winters.
WW2.Along with agriculture, tourism plays an important role in
During it's history, Arcadia has suffered two disasters,the economy of Arcadia. As a Florida Main Street
on Thanksgiving Day 1905, the town was destroyedcommunity, the downtown antique district draws
by a fire that began in a livery stable. Again on Augustvisitors from not only Florida, but across the nation as
13th 2004, the city was devastated by hurricanewell. Several rodeo events a year are hosted by the
Charley after it made a hard right turn in the Gulf ofArcadia Rodeo Association. The historic Peace River,
Mexico and headed straight up Charlotte Harbor.A Florida State Paddling Trail, a popular river for
Contrary to most storms, Charley didn't slow down orfishing,swimming,fossil hunting, canoeing, kayaking and
lose force, it continued in land with the sameboating, is nearby and runs through DeSoto County.
devastation it had created on the coast.Today Arcadia is a quaint, sleepy little town located
Many people had evacuated coastal cities such asabout 40 miles inland from the west coast of Florida, in
Sarasota for safety in Arcadia, and much to theirthe middle of Florida's citrus and cattle ranches.