Davenport, Florida
History of Davenport
Before 1883, in the center of Florida, a picturesque landscape of rolling hills, clear lakes, and evergreen forests set the stage for the birth of a new town. This area, previously deemed unsuitable for settlement due to swamps, was transformed when Hamilton Disston, a wealthy northern businessman, purchased four million acres of land from the government. Disston's ambitious canal-building projects, linking Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee and beyond, transformed the terrain into fertile farmland, attracting pioneers eager to stake their claims.
Among the early settlers were Judson and Sallie Jacob, affectionately known as Uncle Jake and Aunt Sallie, along with their friend, Uncle Dobey. They settled near Horse Creek, close to the newly surveyed railroad line. On January 23, 1884, the completion of the railroad brought an influx of new settlers to the area. Aunt Sallie, eager to establish essential services for the community, successfully petitioned for a post office, which was granted on March 13, 1884. The settlement was named Horse Creek after the nearby creek and the first post office, located in a South Florida Railroad boxcar, symbolized the town's humble beginnings.
The settlement thrived, but disaster struck in 1900 when a fire, sparked by a passing train, destroyed much of Horse Creek. Undeterred, the resilient settlers rebuilt about a mile south of the original site. The boxcar post office was relocated to this new location, which eventually saw the construction of the first wooden post office in 1912, near what is now Lake Play (formerly Park Lake).
Davenport's growth continued with the arrival of the naval stores industry, attracting African American settlers drawn to the pine-rich forests. The citrus industry also flourished, attracting a second wave of settlers. In 1915, Davenport was formally incorporated as a town with its own mayor.
The 1920s marked a golden era for Davenport, boasting amenities like the Holly Hill Inn, a golf course, and an airport. The town's prosperity, however, was short-lived due to the Great Depression, which left Davenport, like much of the nation, financially strained. Despite the challenges, local businesses rallied to help pay off debts.
Over the years, Davenport maintained its community spirit through annual festivals and traditional celebrations. In 1985, Davenport achieved city status with a city manager and mayor. Notably, Davenport has preserved many of its original structures within the National Historic Registry district, including the restored 1927 red brick schoolhouse.
Today, Davenport remains a charming city known for its family-friendly atmosphere and historic charm. Its rich history, from its pioneer days to its role in the citrus and naval stores industries, is a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of its residents.
DAVENPORT MARKET SNAPSHOT
(AUG 17, 2025 - SEP 16, 2025)
DAVENPORT MARKET SNAPSHOT
DAVENPORT HISTORY
Davenport, located in Polk County, Florida, USA, is a city with a rich history and notable growth in recent years. In the 2020 Census, its population was recorded at 9,043, a significant increase from 2,888 in 2010. The city is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The area where Davenport stands today was first settled in 1838 during the Second Seminole War, with the establishment of Fort Davenport by the US military, about 12 miles north of the current city site. This fort, named after Colonel William Davenport, was part of a chain of forts along a trail from Fort Brooke to Fort Mellon. Despite its short existence, it left a lasting mark on the region's history.
The city of Davenport began to take shape in the 1880s when the South Florida Railroad extended its line to the area. Originally known as Horse Creek due to a nearby creek recorded on a US Army survey, the settlement received its own post office in 1884, which was renamed Davenport in 1886. The city was officially incorporated in 1915.
Over the years, Davenport's railroad connections evolved, with a station initially established half a mile north of the city's current location. The railroad was successively owned by different companies, including the Plant System and the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. By 1926, a new station was built in the downtown area, but it closed down in the 1970s. Additionally, from 1958 to 1986, a second station called the Vertagreen Railroad Station operated solely for transporting fertilizer.
In the latter part of the 20th century, Davenport and its surrounding area gained attention as "Baseball City" due to the presence of Boardwalk and Baseball, a redeveloped amusement park originally called Circus World. This park attracted the Kansas City Royals for spring training and minor league baseball games until its closure in 1990. Subsequently, the Royals relocated to Arizona in 2003. Today, the former stadium site has been transformed into Posner Park, a large outdoor shopping mall.
Davenport's history reflects its evolution from a military outpost to a thriving city, impacted by the development of transportation and changes in local attractions and industries. Despite the transitions, Davenport continues to grow and adapt, embodying the dynamic spirit of Central Florida's history and development.