Arcadia Village
Arcadia
Arcadia is a sleepy cattle town that lies along the Peace River. The Arcadia Rodeo dates back to 1929 when several of the local cowboys competes against one another. It was such a success the town continued the event annually. In 1973 the Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo Association joined the ranks of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
The Peace River flows 100 miles from Polk County to Charlotte Harbor. In 1881 phosphate was discovered in the river bed. For 20 years the river was excavated until more efficient strip mines were located inland.
Today, the Peace River's popularity is mostly canoeing. In 1969 Donna Stout founded Canoe Outpost in Arcadia with six canoes. The Outpost now has over 300 canoes and an estimated 30,000 canoeist venture down the River.
