Editing Arcadia, Florida (section)

==History==
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2015}}
According to ''The Atlas of Florida'', "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."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/facts/reports/names/index.cfm#A| title=City Name Origins| publisher=Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources| access-date=October 19, 2015}}</ref>

[[Image:Arcadia1905.jpg|left|thumb|First National Bank of Arcadia pictured in this 1905 postcard]]
[[Image:Arcadia1907.jpg|left|thumb|Presbyterian Church pictured in this 1907 postcard]]
In 1886, transportation improved in Arcadia when the [[Florida Southern Railway]] (later the [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad]]) was built through Arcadia on its way from [[Bartow, Florida|Bartow]] to [[Punta Gorda, Florida|Punta Gorda]]. The railway caused Arcadia to grow significantly, which led to it becoming incorporated a year later.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Arcadia, Florida|url=http://www.arcadiamainstreet.com/history-of-arcadia.html|website=Arcadia Main Street|access-date=April 30, 2018|archive-date=April 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430181501/http://www.arcadiamainstreet.com/history-of-arcadia.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> A second railroad line, the [[Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway]] (later the [[Seaboard Air Line Railroad]]), was built through Arcadia from 1907 to 1910 on its way from [[Mulberry, Florida|Mulberry]] to [[Boca Grande, Florida|Boca Grande]]. Both lines have since been consolidated into a single line by [[CSX]] with the Seaboard line surviving north of Arcadia and the Atlantic Coast Line surviving to the south. Arcadia was also served by the short-lived [[East and West Coast Railway]], which connected Arcadia with [[Bradenton, Florida|Bradenton]] from 1915 to 1934.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Turner|first1=Gregg|title=A Short History of Florida Railroads|date=2003|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-2421-4}}</ref>

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, Florida|DeSoto County]] and resulted in the creation of the present-day counties of [[Charlotte County, Florida|Charlotte]], [[Hardee County, Florida|Hardee]], [[Glades County, Florida|Glades]] and [[Highlands County, Florida|Highlands]]. Prior to this breakup, Arcadia's population had grown considerably, with over 1,000 permanent residents and {{convert|3000|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} for ranching.

On [[Thanksgiving Day]] in 1905, the town was destroyed by a fire that originated from a midtown [[livery stable]]. 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 no loss of life occurred. Much of the business district was not spared. The town recovered only years later.

Oak Street is the "[[main street]]" in Arcadia. The downtown is far more elaborate than neighboring counties' downtown areas, as Arcadia is older and was their county seat prior to the formation of their present counties. Arcadia is also home to many early 20th-century homes, houses of worship, and several historic public buildings.

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, Florida|Fort Myers]] area, also trained pilots for the [[Royal Air Force]] until its closing in 1945.

Arcadia's historic buildings include the [[Johnson-Smith House]], [[William Oswell Ralls House]], and [[Micajah T. Singleton House]]. Also, around 3,400 acres, which includes the downtown area, are part of the [[Arcadia Historic District]].

After three Arcadia children, the [[Ray brothers]], were diagnosed with HIV in 1986, school officials refused to let them attend school.  The Ray family won a $1.1 million judgement against the county school system, but were forced to leave Arcadia after their home was burned down in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2019 |title=The Ray Brothers, a Sad Story of Ignorance and Intolerance |url=https://theunfinishedpyramid.com/2019/01/27/the-ray-brothers-a-sad-story-of-ignorance-and-intolerance/ |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=THE UNFINISHED PYRAMID |language=en}}</ref>