Follow An Old Railroad Trail To A Forgotten Florida Ghost Town Where History Still Lingers

A French mining company once named a lumber town in the pine woods, then watched it vanish in about ten years. The town even printed its own money for the company store.

Today, almost nothing of it remains standing.

The old railroad bed is still there, though. It rises about six feet above the flatwoods, and you can hike right on top of it.

I like the idea of following the same path that once carried logs to a busy sawmill.

This quiet corner of Florida trades shops and crowds for sandhill cranes, oak hammocks, and foundation ruins. Admission is free, and the whole place feels wonderfully far from everything.

I can’t imagine a better way to stretch your legs and your imagination at once. So what happened to the people who once called this place home?

The Strange French Name Behind This Vanished Pine Town

Most Florida towns get named after a founder, a lake, or a pretty tree. SUMICA Ghost Town and Preserve got its name from a French company with a seriously long title.

SUMICA stands for Société Universelle des Mines, Industrie, Commerce et Agriculture. Try saying that three times fast while swatting a horse fly.

The company founded the mill town in 1917 in Polk County. Its goal was simple and practical: harvest the huge stands of longleaf and slash pine growing across the area.

Those pines fed two big industries at once. Lumber came from the sawmill, while sticky sap went to turpentine production.

A post office opened on March 19, 1917, which tells you how fast things moved. The town wasn’t a rough little camp for long.

It grew into a real community with homes, a church, and a school. Families lived, worked, and learned here deep in the woods.

Knowing the name’s backstory makes the visit more fun. You aren’t just hiking through pretty Florida scenery.

You’re walking through the leftover dream of an international business venture. That’s a pretty big story for such a quiet patch of pine flatwoods, and it starts right at the trailhead marker.

You Can Literally Walk On Top Of Railroad History Here

Six feet. That’s roughly how high the old railroad bed rises above the surrounding land, and today part of the hiking trail runs right along it.

Back in December 1917, the Kissimmee River Railway was completed. It was a branch line of the Seaboard Air Line Railway, and it connected SUMICA to other turpentine communities.

Trains hauled timber to the hungry sawmill. By 1922, the mill had pushed logging rails four miles into the surrounding woods.

The tracks are gone now. Still, the raised path gives you a clear sense of where the trains once rolled.

Walking it feels a bit like reading a history book with your feet. Every step follows a route that once kept a whole town running.

Here’s a helpful tip for the trip. Wear sturdy shoes, because parts of the trail can be sandy or uneven.

Notice how the raised bed stands out against the flat land around it. Once you spot it, you’ll see why builders bothered lifting it.

Florida ground can get soggy in a hurry. A train sinking into the muck would have been a very bad Tuesday for everyone.

Fifty Houses, One Sawmill, And A Currency All Their Own

Money that only worked at one store sounds like a board game rule. At SUMICA, it was real life for the workers and their families.

The town issued its own currency for purchases at the company commissary. Folks shopped where they worked, and the company kept the cash flowing in a tidy circle.

At its peak, the town held about 50 houses. It also had a sawmill, a turpentine plant, a commissary, a church, and a school.

That’s a full little world built around pine trees. Kids went to class while their parents worked the mill and the woods.

Today, you’ll find historical markers and some foundation ruins. These remains come from the former sawmill and residences.

Don’t expect a movie-set ghost town with saloon doors flapping. The ruins are subtle, so it pays to slow down and look carefully.

Bring a little patience and plenty of curiosity. Reading the trailhead sign first helps you know what you’re looking at later.

Picture-perfect buildings would be easier to spot, sure. But there’s something more honest about a town that simply let the forest take it back.

The Pines Ran Out And The Whole Town Packed Up

Ten years. That’s about how long SUMICA thrived before the trees, and the town, were basically gone.

The community’s success depended completely on the pine forests. Once the timber was used up, the area was deforested by 1927.

With nothing left to cut, people moved on. The post office closed in June 1927, closing the book on the town’s short story.

It’s a quick rise and fall, even by boomtown standards. A town built for trees simply couldn’t stay without them.

Standing in the preserve now, you’ll notice how much land has recovered. Pine flatwoods, marshes, and oak hammocks fill the space again.

That comeback is part of what makes a visit meaningful. You get to see nature filling a gap people once left behind.

Kids especially might find this lesson easy to grasp. Use up a resource too quickly, and the whole operation runs dry.

Talking about it on the trail makes history feel less like homework. It turns a simple walk into a real conversation about choices and consequences.

Polk County’s Biggest Wild Space Is Waiting For Your Boots

Polk County saved the best for big. SUMICA Ghost Town and Preserve is the largest of all the county’s Environmental Lands, covering 4,031 acres.

The Polk County Environmental Lands Program purchased land here in 1997. Then in February 1999, the county and the South Florida Water Management District acquired the full property.

Their goal was to protect both the ecology and the cultural history. It’s a rare double win for nature fans and history buffs.

You’ll find it at 12993 State Road 60, Lake Wales, FL 33898. The preserve is open daily, and entry is free.

Plan to arrive in daylight, since the gates close at dusk. Getting locked in with the bobcats isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun sleepover.

The scenery mixes wide pine flatwoods, marshes, and oak hammocks. Each landscape feels a little different as you move through it.

Bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray. Large stretches of trail have little shade, so cooler months make hiking far more comfortable.

Being this big also means it rarely feels busy. That kind of breathing room is getting harder to find anywhere in Florida.

Three Trails, Nine Miles, And Room For Horses Too

Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders all get their own fun here. The preserve offers three main trails adding up to 9.1 miles.

The hiking trail runs 2.1 miles and includes that famous raised railroad bed. It’s a great pick if you want history with your exercise.

Next comes the 2.2-mile campsite trail. As the name hints, it leads toward the primitive camping area.

The longest option is the 4.8-mile equestrian trail. Riders can enjoy plenty of open space without fighting crowds.

Mountain bikers should know the paths can be sandy and rough. Wider tires and a sense of humor will serve you well.

Grab a trail map before heading out, and consider a mapping app as backup. Some routes branch off in ways that can get confusing.

Starting early is smart in warmer months. The sun gets strong fast, and much of the terrain stays open.

Pack snacks and enough water for the whole outing. A long ride or hike feels much better when you’re not running on empty halfway through.

Keep Your Binoculars Handy For Cranes, Eagles, And Caracaras

A wild turkey strolling across the path might be your first surprise. It probably won’t be your last at this wildlife-rich preserve.

Birders have plenty to look for here. Sandhill cranes, caracaras, Bachman’s sparrows, towhees, short-tailed hawks, and bald eagles all appear on the list.

Mammals and reptiles share the land too. Deer, bobcats, foxes, and gopher tortoises live here, and even bear tracks have been spotted.

The preserve supports at least 12 species of rare plants and animals. That makes it an important place for Florida’s wild residents.

Photographers, this is your playground. Bring a zoom lens, since many animals prefer keeping a polite distance.

Move quietly and watch the edges where forest meets open ground. Those transition zones often reward patient eyes.

Early morning tends to be a lively time for birds. You’ll also beat the heat, which is a bonus for everyone.

Always give wildlife plenty of space, especially gopher tortoises near their burrows. They were here long before the sawmill, and they deserve respect.

Pitch A Tent Or Grab A Picnic Table Under The Shelter

Lunch with a side of history? The preserve makes that easy with picnic tables and covered picnic shelters near the trail area.

Those shelters matter more than you’d think. Shade can be scarce out here, so a roof overhead feels like a small luxury.

Restrooms are available too. Facilities are basic, so plan accordingly and pack hand sanitizer.

For a bigger adventure, try the primitive camping sites. You’ll trade hotel pillows for starry skies and frog choruses.

Primitive means exactly that, so bring everything you need. Water, food, lighting, and a good tent should top your list.

Check camping rules and reservation details with Polk County before you go. Being prepared keeps the trip relaxing instead of stressful.

Even a short stop works well here. State Road 60 travelers can pull over, stretch, and enjoy a peaceful meal.

Pack out every scrap of trash when you leave. Keeping the place clean helps protect the wildlife and the next visitor’s experience.

Leave The Metal Detector Home And Take Only Photos

Treasure hunters, sorry to burst your bubble. Digging, metal detecting, and removing artifacts are strictly prohibited at SUMICA Ghost Town and Preserve.

Every foundation and leftover piece tells part of the town’s story. Taking something home erases a clue for everyone else.

Think of yourself as a guest in a very old neighborhood. Look closely, snap photos, and leave everything exactly where you found it.

The preserve also sits on the shore of Lake Weohyakapka. Many people know it by its easier nickname, Lake Walk-in-Water.

That name alone deserves a smile. It’s a fun reminder of how colorful Florida place names can be.

Marshes near the water add even more variety to the landscape. They’re lovely spots for quiet reflection and bird watching.

Before leaving, take one more look at the raised railroad bed. It’s amazing how a few feet of dirt can hold a century of stories.

Free, peaceful, and packed with history, this Florida preserve rewards curious travelers. Just bring your imagination, because the ghost town still has plenty to say.