ALTURAS, FLORIDA

Alturas, Florida is a census-designated place in southeastern Polk County, Florida, part of the central Florida region. It is about 12 miles west of Lake Wales and 12 miles east of Bartow.

The main road through the community is Polk County Road 665A, while Florida State Road 60 runs just north of Alturas, linking it to other towns across Polk County. Alturas has a population of about 4,084.

I have a large digital collection of Florida citrus crate labels, works of art that promote the hundreds of citrus businesses that once flourished in Florida.

Many of these labels identify various groves and packing houses in Alturas.  Drivers passing by on State Road 60 may notice a sign pointing South to Alturas but the community is easy to miss if you aren't looking for it.  

The region of Central Florida where Alturas sits was originally inhabited by Native Americans, though written records specific to native communities in Alturas are sparse.

When European settlers and later American pioneers arrived in central Florida, they were drawn by the fertile soil, lakes, and favorable climate: ideal conditions for agriculture.

Over time, settlers established farms, ranches, and citrus groves. According to local history, the area’s slightly elevated terrain inspired the name “Alturas,” Spanish for “heights” or "high land."

Alturas began to take shape as a community in the late 1800s with citrus groves becoming the backbone of its economy. By 1911, Alturas was formally recognized, as settlers hoped it might become a central hub in Florida’s booming agriculture industry.

In the 1920s, the community grew rapidly under the development efforts of the Alturas Development Company, and at one point Alturas even boasted its own train station. 

Yet the early expectations of Alturas becoming a major agricultural metropolis never quite materialized.

Over the decades, as citrus operations consolidated and development patterns shifted, Alturas remained a small, rural community.

Its next door neighbors of Bartow and Lake Wales have continued to grow into medium sized cities, partly because of their better highway and railroad connections.

Today, Alturas retains its rural, open-space character. Most residents of the community own their own home.  Many of them commute to the nearby towns of Bartow and Lake Wales for their work.

Most of what I consider to be "downtown" Alturas is snuggled around the shoreline of small Star Lake.  This is where the church, post office, and some small businesses are located.

The community spans roughly 60 square miles. Agriculture remains a significant part of local identity, with citrus groves, ranches, and farmland still dotting the landscape. 

Citrus greening, freezes, and development pressures have destroyed many of the groves, but there are still some left.

Alturas offers a slower pace of life.  This appeals to those of us who are looking for a rural getaway rather than city living. Residents often commute for work, shopping, and services, but the area is a tight-knit community with roots in farming and family tradition.

Because of its rural nature, Alturas does not have a bustling downtown filled with galleries, antique shops, or a large cluster of restaurants.

It remains “off the beaten path,” with limited commercial establishments compared with nearby more developed towns. 

I for one hope it stays that way.

Because Alturas is small and rural, many activities involve nature, nearby lakes, and taking advantage of the surrounding Central Florida environment. Here are some ideas for things to do in or near Alturas:

• Fishing and Boating at Lake Buffum. A large 1,200-acre lake south of Alturas with public access, ideal for fishing and small-boat recreational boating.
  
  
• Visit Lake Garfield. A 630-acre lake in the northwest of Alturas; offers boat ramps and fishing opportunities.
  
  
• Explore rural farmland and citrus groves. Drive around the community to see working citrus groves and farms that remain from Alturas’s agricultural past. This is always one of my favorite activities.
  
  
• Enjoy the countryside lifestyle. Scenic drives along Country roads, observing pine and oak-land landscapes, lakes, and farmlands — ideal for nature lovers.
  
  
• Visit Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, less than a half-hour drive away; a beautiful botanical garden and bird sanctuary with historic Singing Tower, perfect for a day trip. 

• Outdoor recreation at Mosaic Peace River Park. Great for hiking, picnicking, wildlife watching, and enjoying the natural beauty of Central Florida.
  
  
• Day trip to LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven. Family-friendly amusement park reachable with a short drive, offering rides and entertainment beyond the rural setting.
  
  
• Shopping and dining in nearby cities since Alturas itself has limited shops/restaurants, drive to neighboring towns such as Bartow or Lake Wales for groceries, dining, or shopping.
  
  
• Alturas Community Club occasionally hosts local events and serves as a meeting place for residents, preserving the small-town community feel. 

Because Alturas is a small, unincorporated community, it often lacks formal signage or published phone numbers for many of these rural-style places.

But the sense of quiet rural charm, lakes, and farmland makes Alturas a peaceful base for those seeking Central Florida’s simpler, natural side.

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