Bartow, FL

united states

Bartow, the Polk County seat, sits 50 miles east of Tampa via I-4 and the Polk Parkway (Exit 48). US 17 runs right through town, connecting to Lakeland 20 miles north and the Tampa Bay area for commuters. The city sits in Florida's phosphate country, surrounded by lakes and citrus groves. The 1909 red brick courthouse with its prominent clock tower dominates the historic downtown square.