Acton, Florida

Acton was a community in Polk County, Florida, United States. The town was situated two miles east of Lakeland which it preceded. It was a settlement of English people from Great Britain.[1] It was established in 1884 named for Lord Acton. The community began dispersing to Lakeland in 1889[2] and disappeared after the great freeze of 1894. A historical marker in Interlachen Park commemorates its history.

Historical marker for Acton within Interlachen Park, in Lakeland, Florida

The South Florida Railroad advertised a route through it.[3] An episcopal church was built in the community and later moved to Lakeland.[2]

History

Acton was platted in 1884, and named for Lord Acton.[4] A post office was established at Acton in 1884, and remained in operation until 1889.[5] Construction of a railroad shifted business activity to nearby Lakeland, and the town's population dwindled.[6]

References
  1. Morris, Allen (October 17, 2015). Florida Place Names: Alachua to Zolfo Springs. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781561648399 – via Google Books.
  2. Cutler, Harry Gardner (May 3, 1923). "History of Florida: Past and Present, Historical and Biographical". Lewis Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  3. "The American Angler". Angler's Publishing Company, Limited. May 3, 1887 – via Google Books.
  4. Sawyer, Martha F. (May 19, 1982). "Acton – a vanished community". Lakeland Ledger. pp. 3C. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  5. "Polk County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  6. Sawyer, Martha F. (June 1, 1988). "Conversation pieces: Polk history about towns lost and found". Lakeland Ledger. pp. 10C. Retrieved October 7, 2015.

28°3.2′N 81°56.0′W


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