Fort Meade, FL Home for Rent

Fort Meade, the oldest city in Polk County, is a historic and rural neighborhood known for its quiet, small-town atmosphere. The downtown district along Broadway Street retains its late-1800s charm, with independent businesses such as antique shops, a tattoo parlor, and a gunsmith. Notable dining options include Kiki’s Egg House and John’s Drive-In. For most shopping needs, residents travel to nearby Bartow or Hardee County via U.S. Route 17. Ecotourism thrives here, with the Peace River offering activities like canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Patterson Park, built around three lakes, provides fishing docks and a paved trail. The park also hosts community events such as a youth fishing tournament, Halloween costume contest, Fourth of July fireworks, and a Christmas parade. Residential streets feature midcentury ranch-style homes and occasional large farmhouses, with two 55-and-over mobile home communities in the eastern section. Fort Meade Estates and Oakview Lakes, the latter with a nine-hole golf course, cater to retirees. Route 17 connects Fort Meade to Lakeland, 22 miles north, and Tampa, about 40 miles east.