Fort Meade is the oldest settlement in Polk County, dating back to 1849 when a settlement grew up around the U.S. Cavalry Fort during the Seminole Indian Wars. The value of the location as a military base was recognized during the Seminole Indian Wars and a fort was built as a strategic point.

The first military station, known as Fort Clinch, was established in 1849 and abandoned in 1854. In 1851-52, General Twigg took Lt. Meade and an escort of horsemen to find the site of Old Fort Clinch. The General left the search entirely to Lt. Meade and when just before dusk Meade announced he had found the place, the General said, "Here shall be Fort Meade".

In 1887, E.E. Childers discovered phosphate in the highlands of Polk County about two miles east of Fort Meade. Prospecting then was a great deal different than it is today. In those days, the prospecting was done by digging a hole until water was encountered. There was no shoring pipe and an auger was used to bring up dirt and rock. To separate the phosphate from the dirt, a layer of logs was put down and covered with the "rock", alternating layers of wood and phosphate rock. A fire was lighted in the wood and the phosphate rock was reclaimed from the ashes.

The old military fort was demolished in 1890. The approximate site of the old fort is set aside as a lovely park and playground for children on N.E. Third Street.

The oldest church in Polk County is located in Fort Meade. Christ Church Episcopal still conducts weekly services in the original building, on the original site, and is recorded in the National Register of Historic Sites. Fort Meade has been named to the National Register of Historic Places and lists more than three hundred homes in our Historic District.