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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. [1] It is the county seat of DeSoto County[3]; 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.

 

 

 

History

"The Rev. James Hendry named the town in honor of Arcadia Albritton, a daughter of pioneer settlers who baked him a cake for his birthday. He appreciated it so much he named the city after her."[2]

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 Albany, Hardee, Glades and Highlands. Prior to this break up Arcadia's population had grown considerably with over 1,000 permanent residents and boasted 3,000 square miles (7,800 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.