Discover 9 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Bartow (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Lawrence Brown House, Old Polk County Courthouse, and Oak Hill Cemetery. Also, be sure to include Bartow Art Guild in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Bartow (Florida).
Table of Contents
Lawrence Brown House
Home in Bartow, Florida. The Lawrence Brown House, better known as the L.B. Brown House, is the home built by Lawrence Bernard Brown a self-made businessman, community leader, and master carpenter. It may be the only home built by a former enslaved person left in Florida. The house "stands as a living testimony to one person's triumph over adversity."
Until 1989, was known as the "Thomas House." It wasn't until the death of the former resident, Lavina Thomas, that the original builder was discovered.
The house is located at 470 L.B. Brown Avenue, Bartow, Florida 33830 (formerly 2nd Ave). Clifton Lewis, president of Corporation Of Neighborhood Improvement and other Bartow residents set about restoring old homes in the early 1990s. When Robert Brown, son of L.B. came to look at his childhood home, he casually mentioned to Lewis, his father had built the house. From that point on, it was known as the L.B. Brown Home and the street name was officially changed from 2nd Ave. to L.B. Brown Avenue.
The L.B. Brown House was added to the National Register of Historic Places, a division of the National Park Service, on January 4, 2001. The house was completed in 1892.
Every year the town of Bartow recognizes L.B. Brown's "life and achievements" at the annual L.B. Brown Festival, usually held mid-February.
The L.B. Brown house will be represented at the new National Museum of African American History and Culture. There will be cornerstone with L.B. Brown's name on it.[1]
Address: 470 L. B. Brown Avenew, 33830 Bartow
Old Polk County Courthouse
Courthouse. The Old Polk County Courthouse is an historic courthouse in Bartow, Florida, located at 100 East Main Street. It was ostensibly designed in the Classical Revival style by architect Edward Columbus Hosford. On August 7, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The Polk County Historical Museum is located in the courthouse.[2]
Address: 225 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow
Oak Hill Cemetery
Cemetery in Bartow, Florida. The Oak Hill Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Bartow, Florida. It is located on West Parker Street. On February 12, 2003, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. People interred there include Confederate General Evander M. Law.[3]
Bartow Art Guild
Museum
Address: 1240 E Main St, Bartow
Bartow Public Library
Library
Address: 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
Benjamin Franklin Holland House
Historical landmark in Bartow, Florida. The Benjamin Franklin Holland House is a historic home in Bartow, Florida. It is located at 590 East Stanford Street. Benjamin Franklin Holland was the father of Spessard Holland, one of Florida's governors as well as a United States senator representing the state. On April 3, 1975, the house was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[4]
John J. Swearingen House
The John J. Swearingen House is a historic home in Bartow, Florida. It is located at 690 East Church Street. On May 13, 1982, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[5]
Mann Manor
Mann Manor is a national historic site located at 325 West Main Street, Bartow, Florida in Polk County.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 13, 2011.[6]
Thompson and Company Cigar Factory
Thompson and Company Cigar Factory is a national historic site located at 255 North Third Street, Bartow, Florida in Polk County. It was used by the Thompson Cigar, established in Florida in 1915.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 9, 2002.[7]