Canter Brown, Jr. chronicles Imperial Polk County in its all its diverse aspects in the concluding work of his two-volume history of Polk County, None Can Have Richer Memories Polk County, Florida, 1940-2000.

The apt tile is excerpted from a statement by Mrs. H. K. Hooks, "But none ever had more contentment than we did, and none can have richer memories, now." Those sentiments form the book, as related through Brown’s skillful storytelling of Polk’s citizens from the Great Depression’s end to the advent of the 21st century.

In 1940 Polk County’s 86,665 persons were beset by economic depression, corruption, and discrimination, yet stood poised to rebound. Reviewed are the preceding two decades and the county’s topography, business, education, government, and religion, while also featured are diversions of water sports, radios, movies, and baseball spring training.

Related are the profound influences World War 11 had on the county, including the effects of the policies instituted by native son Governor Spessard L Holland and the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Detailed are the activities on the home front and numerous examples of the individual heroism of the thousands of Polk Countians who served in the military, for example Congressional Medal of Honor recipient James Henry Mills.

Honored also are Polk’s soldiers who served in other wars, including, Lt. General James A. Van Fleet in Korea and Lt. Donald E. Brewer, the former Eighth Army Commander, and the latter posthumous Navy Cross winner; Lt. Richard E. Hood, Jr. and 1st Lt. Ronald Ray in Vietnam, the former whose ultimate sacrifice earned the Silver Star, and the latter the Congressional Medal of Honor. Also respected are the veterans of the Gulf War and Operation Desert Shield.

Highlighted is the economy, mainstayed by citrus, cattle, phosphate, and tourism, which was driven by the post-war population growth of relatively young newcomers, many of whom were veterans. Its transformation, including changes in shopping, mobile home parks, planned communities, and the effects of Disney World, is recounted.

Crime and corruption by public officials are presented, as are the shortfalls and successes of government and education, including Florida Southern College.

The evolving political complexities, with the rising influence of women and African Americans, are scrutinized from a Democrat bastion to Republican ascendancy, with recognition of favorite sons, e.g., Ben Hill Griffin, Jr., Lawton Chiles, Curtis Peterson, and Bob Crawford.

A recurring theme is African Americans’ quest to achieve civil rights and equality, with those credited for its advancements showcased.

In 2000 Polk County’s 483,924 persons were confronted with many challenges and opportunities, which signaled the closing of an era, but looking with greater intensity at the past to find steady foundations for the present and future, for which Dr. Brown’s history will provide a guidepost.

None Can Have Richer Memories Polk County, Florida, 1940-2000 contains 384 pages, 120 illustrations, notes, bibliography, and index. Commissioned by the Polk County Historical Association, it is distributed by the Association, in cooperation with the Center for Florida History, Florida Southern College. It can be purchased for $47.03 per copy from the Polk County Historical Association, P. O. Box 2749, Bartow, FL 33831-2749, with check or money order (no credit cards), payable to Polk County Historical Association. Or phone them at 863-680-3001 or fax at 863-680-3006. E-mail at Florida Southern College Bookstore. Volume 1 of Dr. Brown's two-volume history of Polk County, In the Midst of All That Makes Life Worth Living: Polk County, Florida, to 1940 and volume 2, None Can Have Richer Memories: Polk County, Florida, 1940-2000 can be purchased as a set for $88.76.

This review was published in The Herald-Advocate (Wauchula, Fla.), 7C, April 21, 2005.