History of a Railroad and a War Hero

General James A. Van Fleet State Trail is part of the Rails to Trails system, converting abandoned railroads into usable trails for a variety of activities.

In the early 1920s, Seaboard Airline Railroad built the Miami subdivision, which were the tracks running from Cullman, FL to Miami, Florida. This trail was part of that subdivision.

Some of the passenger trains running on this track between Mabel and Polk City included the Silver Meteor, Silver Star and Orange Blossom Special. Four freight trains, the Migrator, the Cavalcade, the Marketer and the Red Fox, moved perishable fruits and vegetables, phosphate, forest products and textiles.

In 1936, facing stiff competition from other companies, Seaboard Air Lines was the first Southern railroad to introduce air-conditioned cars. During the 1970s the trains were reduced to a handful of freight trains and Amtrak’s Silver Star.

On July 1, 1986 CSX succeeded from the Seaboard System Railroad and by 1990 the track was abandoned.

However, the track wouldn’t be abandoned long. In March of 1991 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection leased the abandoned CSX railroad and began development the following December.

In October of 1992, the General James A. Van Fleet State Trail was proud to open as a dirt trail from Polk City North 20 miles to Bay Lake Road, as the namesake of a hometown hero.

General James Alward Van Fleet was born in Coytesville, New Jersey March 19, 1892, but raised in Florida and adopted it as his home. He led U.S. troops during the Mexican Revolution, WWI and WW2. He also led U.S. and U.N. forces during the Korean War. President Truman called him “America’s greatest general.” 

Being in the military was a family affair, his grandfather having served in the Revolutionary War and his father, William Van Fleet served in the Civil War. William Van Fleet was proud to have a son nominated in 1911 to West Point, where he graduated 92nd in the class of 1915. James A. Van Fleet was 100 years old when he passed away September 23, 1992 at his ranch in Polk City Florida.

Paving of the trail began in April 1995 and was achieved in three phases ending in October 1997. The trail is now fully paved and extends 29.2 miles from Polk City to Mabel.

With its pristine beauty, abundant native plants and wildlife, this trail attracts visitors from all over the world. As you ride on the trail try to imagine life in the 1900s when the railroad was lively, and this war hero was honoring his country.