Arcadia, Florida
Encyclopedia
Arcadia is a city in DeSoto County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 6,604 as of the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city grew to 7,151. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-12.csv It is the county seat
of DeSoto County; it is also DeSoto County's only incorporated community. On October 27, 2009, President Barack Obama visited Arcadia. He became the first sitting president to do so. The city was devastated by Hurricane Charley
on Friday, August 13, 2004.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4 square miles (10.4 km²), all but 0.25% of which is land.
During the late 19th century Arcadia was the county seat of what would become many counties. In 1921 legislation enacted called for Arcadia to remain the county seat of Desoto County and resulted in the creation of present day counties of Charlotte, Hardee, Glades and Highlands. Prior to this break up Arcadia's population had grown considerably with over 1,000 permanent residents and boasted 3000 square miles (7,770 km²) for ranching. During Thanksgiving Day in 1905 the town was destroyed by a large-scale fire that originated from a mid-town livery stable. Furthermore the fire was exacerbated because the town did not have a working water system or fire department. The estimated monetary damage was $250,000 but there was no loss of life. Much of the business district was not spared. It would be years before the town recovered. 
From 1917 to 1922, Arcadia was the home of Carlstrom Field
, a grass airfield of the U.S. Army Air Service named for deceased aviation pioneer Victor Carlstrom. Carlstrom Field was used for pilot training both during and after World War I
. In May 1941 the site again became an airfield for military primary flight training, operated by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute (now Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
. Carlstrom Field, one of several satellite fields in the Fort Myers Area, also trained pilots for the Royal Air Force
until its closing in 1945.
Arcadia was featured in an episode of the "Travel Channel" show "Cash & Treasures
Treasure Hunter: Kirsten Gum", the episode aired in 2006. The episode included locals helping Kirsten dig for fossil shark teeth in the Peace River.
Popular Youtube hairstylist Celebrity Seaborn styles many notable Arcadia citizens, such as Haiti, better known as Haiti of Arcadia.
of 2000, there were 6,604 people, 2,289 households, and 1,533 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,635.6 people per square mile (631.1/km²). There were 2,604 housing units at an average density of 644.9 per square mile (248.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.11% White, 28.09% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 7.18% from other races
, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.05% of the population.
There were 2,289 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples
living together, 20.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,025, and the median income for a family was $29,593. Males had a median income of $22,518 versus $18,666 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,893. About 20.2% of families and 25.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.1% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
is a public-use airport
located 1 miles (1.6 km) southeast of the central business district
.
Over the last six years the airport has gone downhill,due to the management & no foresight from the city council. The airport is managed & leased by William & Becky Minnear under the name AIRCADIA. A lot of renters & pilots have left due to conflicts with management,leaving the airport looking almost like a ghost town. The city council recently adopted an airport advisory committee to advise on ways of improving the airport. The airport has a deep history as well as Desoto county connected to aviation,with The old Carlstrom & Dorr training fields in Desoto County.
Arcadia is also the home of three rodeos. These events, which are managed by the local rodeo association, occur during the months of March, 4 July holiday and in the Fall. From the profits of these events many local charities, college scholarships and causes receive funding.
During the month of May a local watermelon festival is held. The month of May is also the height of watermelon harvesting season. The festival has a variety of pageants, contests and draws local tourists. The festival is part of the Florida Watermelon Association.
DeSoto County, Florida
DeSoto County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 32,209. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 35,406 . Its county seat is Arcadia, Florida. The county comprises the Arcadia, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :DeSoto...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 6,604 as of the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city grew to 7,151. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-12.csv It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of DeSoto County; it is also DeSoto County's only incorporated community. On October 27, 2009, President Barack Obama visited Arcadia. He became the first sitting president to do so. The city was devastated by Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley was the third named storm, the second hurricane, and the second major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. Charley lasted from August 9 to August 15, and at its peak intensity it attained 150 mph winds, making it a strong Category 4 hurricane on the...
on Friday, August 13, 2004.
Geography
Arcadia is located at 27°13'N 81°52'W (27.2176, -81.8599).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4 square miles (10.4 km²), all but 0.25% of which is land.
Name Origin
"The Rev. James Madison ("Boss") Hendry (1839-1922) named the town in honor of Arcadia Albritton (1861-1932), a daughter of Thomas H. and Fannie (Waldron) Albritton, pioneer settlers. Arcadia had baked him a cake for his birthday and he appreciated it so much that he named the city after her."http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/facts/reports/names/index.cfm#AHistory
Carlstrom Field
Carlstrom Field was named for Lt. Victor Carlstrom, who was killed in an aircraft accident in Newport News, Virginia. At the outbreak of World War I, he was one of the foremost aviators of his time. He made many first flights and set many altitude and distance records...
, a grass airfield of the U.S. Army Air Service named for deceased aviation pioneer Victor Carlstrom. Carlstrom Field was used for pilot training both during and after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. In May 1941 the site again became an airfield for military primary flight training, operated by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute (now Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university in the US specializing in aviation and aerospace engineering. It teaches the science, practice, and business of aviation and aerospace. Called "The Harvard of the Sky" by Time Magazine in 1979, Embry-Riddle has a history dating back to...
. Carlstrom Field, one of several satellite fields in the Fort Myers Area, also trained pilots for the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
until its closing in 1945.
Arcadia was featured in an episode of the "Travel Channel" show "Cash & Treasures
Treasure Hunter: Kirsten Gum", the episode aired in 2006. The episode included locals helping Kirsten dig for fossil shark teeth in the Peace River.
Popular Youtube hairstylist Celebrity Seaborn styles many notable Arcadia citizens, such as Haiti, better known as Haiti of Arcadia.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,604 people, 2,289 households, and 1,533 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,635.6 people per square mile (631.1/km²). There were 2,604 housing units at an average density of 644.9 per square mile (248.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.11% White, 28.09% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 7.18% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.05% of the population.
There were 2,289 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 20.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,025, and the median income for a family was $29,593. Males had a median income of $22,518 versus $18,666 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $11,893. About 20.2% of families and 25.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.1% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Arcadia Municipal AirportArcadia Municipal Airport
Arcadia Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located southeast of the central business district of the city of Arcadia in DeSoto County, Florida, United States. The airport is publicly owned....
is a public-use airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
located 1 miles (1.6 km) southeast of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
.
Over the last six years the airport has gone downhill,due to the management & no foresight from the city council. The airport is managed & leased by William & Becky Minnear under the name AIRCADIA. A lot of renters & pilots have left due to conflicts with management,leaving the airport looking almost like a ghost town. The city council recently adopted an airport advisory committee to advise on ways of improving the airport. The airport has a deep history as well as Desoto county connected to aviation,with The old Carlstrom & Dorr training fields in Desoto County.
Annual events
Arcadia hosts DeSoto County's annual fair usually in the month of January. While traditional aspects of a fair or carnival are provided, the event also presents livestock shows consisting of swine and cattle, which are presented by the local FFA and 4-H.Arcadia is also the home of three rodeos. These events, which are managed by the local rodeo association, occur during the months of March, 4 July holiday and in the Fall. From the profits of these events many local charities, college scholarships and causes receive funding.
During the month of May a local watermelon festival is held. The month of May is also the height of watermelon harvesting season. The festival has a variety of pageants, contests and draws local tourists. The festival is part of the Florida Watermelon Association.