The Charlotte Harbor Northern Railway was built
through Arcadia from 1907 to 1910 on its way from
Mulberry to Boca Grande. Both lines consolidated into
a single line by CSX, with the Seaboard line surviving
north of Arcadia and the Atlantic Coast Line surviving to
the south. The line to Boca Grande, of course, no longer
exists.
Arcadia, with a current population of just under 8,000
people, is the county seat of DeSoto County. It has the
feel of an Old West town, and the town center is on
the National Register of Historic Places. Except for the
modern cars roaring down main street and visitors in ball
caps and shorts, one might expect a cowboy or two to
roll out of a saloon in a fi ghting tumble. After all, this part
of Florida is cattle country. Cowboys are seen everywhere
in Arcadia, and the surrounding farms and villages and
rodeos are part of the local history.
Arcadia’s Antique Fair
If you’re an antique or bargain hunter, Arcadia is the place for you. The monthly antique
fair held the fourth Saturday of every month since 1995 is the perfect place to fi nd one-of-akind
Historic marker for the Arcadia Historic District,
located on Oak Street.
treasures like a mermaid skeleton or a boar’s head to mount on your dining room wall
or study (just a little something to get the conversation started at your next dinner party). The
hunt can be the best part of the experience and for a collector, there’s always room for one
more interesting addition to your collection.
In the busy winter months, typically when snowbirds
return, the vendor numbers grow to more than 100. In
the summer months the numbers decrease, but so do
the crowds, making it easy to walk around and spend
quality time at every booth. With so much to see, that
is a positive.
In addition to the outdoor vendors, Arcadia’s
Oak Street boasts approximately 20 shops,
each offering a wide variety of treasures. There
were loads of items from the 1950s and 1960s,
including Corningware bowls and baking dishes,
glasses, jewelry, art, even a vintage Coca-Cola
signs.
Vintage furs and hats are plentiful at Miss Pearl’s Place, where ladies can fi nd
everything from Louboutin shoes to one of a kind alligator handbags.
At Bobby Tiques, dolls are plentiful, including a 1930s Betty Boop.
64 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • September/October • 2021