Polk City, Florida began as a farming community in the 1800s. Like most of the cities beginnings in Florida, Polk Citys economy rose with the cattle and the citrus industry. In 1922 a developer by the name of Isaac Van Horn was on a summer vacation from Boston when he came across Polk City and saw future prosperity. With his financial connections in both New Jersey and New York, Van Horn brought an oil drilling company to the area just north of Polk City. He believed that there was oil to be found, and his beliefs brought in many families for promises of jobs and opportunities for oil. Upon the quick increase of population, the need to construct a town closer to the workers became obvious. The nearest town at the time was 14 miles away, which is a long haul on horseback or buggy! Van Horn purchased 2 square miles south of his oil rigs in what is now the heart of downtown Polk City. By the time the land was cleared, construction began, and by the year of 1925 Polk City was incorporated. During this year, Van Horn completed the Van Horn Building, which served as the main office building for the Haynes-Van Horn Company, The Polk City Chamber of Commerce, the local newspaper, the Town Hall, and The main office for the Polk City Country Club. Next door to the Van Horn Building was the local post office, and thus began the charming development of Polk City, Florida.

As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 1,515. Located in the southern part of Floridas Green Swamp, Polk City is completely surrounded by an interesting and captivating environment. The Green Swamp includes 560,000 acres of a natural, ecological virtually untouched forest. The Green Swamp is where the Hillsborough, Ocklawaha, Peace and Withlacoochee Rivers originate and flow through the state to provide much of Central Floridas supply of water. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swiftmud) owns 110,000 acres of this incredible land and keeps this area protected. The Green Swamp is home to many rare and endangered animals, including the Bald Eagle, the Florida Panther and Florida Black Bears.

Relocating to Polk City, Florida promises a quiet small town charming community combined with ecological mystery and a rich heritage.