Loughman, Florida - Forgotten Citrus Center Monument #2

On the Polk and Oceola County line a street off 532 co. coming in from 532 co is Old Tampa rd., coming in from Ronald Reagan is old Kissimmee Rd. It sets on an old red brick road that was at one time covered with hardtop. The Amtrack railroad runs behind the area and 17/92 highway on the other side of neighborhood.

There is a park near there in Loughman. [Sue, 05/03/2009]

County Commissioners erected concrete markers at the boundaries of Polk County, Florida way back during the "boom" years of the state, around 1920, alongside the main roads leading in and out of the county.

One such famous road was the Old Dixie Highway which ran from the northern states south to Florida and on down through the state. Originally a very narrow red brick road in places there still exists a very short "lost" stretch of this famous highway in Central Florida.

Along that road is one of the Polk County Monuments or "Markers". It stands approximately 12 feet high and is inscribed: "POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA, CITURS CENTER." Yes, it is misspelled. Also along this stretch was the old winter grounds for a couple of circus troupes. Those grounds are vacant now, but the road is still red brick, still narrow, and winds through lush, dense oak trees with Spanish moss draping from their branches. It really is a lovely journey that gives the feel of being back in the grand old days of Florida tourism.

I expect the road will be closed soon as the County and State are not maintaining it these days. So get out and visit it while its there to be enjoyed. [Ernie Harben, 04/13/2007]