Sumica, Florida

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} thumb|Sign for SUMICA, February 2008 '''Sumica''', alternatively written as '''SUMICA''', was a mill town in Polk County, Florida, United States. The ghost town is commemorated by a historical marker off S.R. 60.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMXC4E_Sumica|title=Sumica - Florida Historical Markers on Waymarking.com|website=www.waymarking.com|accessdate=28 August 2018}}</ref> There is also a Southwest Florida Water Management District preserve in the area named for the former logging settlement and mill town. Goods from a company store in the town could be purchased with company issued currency, including 25 cent and 5 cent scrip.

Sumica was developed to exploit the long leaf pine and slash pine forests in the area. Sumica had rail built to bring timber to its mill and was connected by rail lines to turpentine factories.<ref name=marker/> The railway connected to a Seaboard Airline Railway branch line.

"Sumica" is an acronym for the French company Société Universelle des Mines, Industrie Commerce et Agriculture. The company built the town's sawmill and turpentine plant.<ref name=marker>Sumica historical marker</ref> A Sumica post office was opened on March 19, 1917.<ref name=marker/> Sumica included 50 houses, a commissary, church, and school.<ref name=marker/> The Kissimmee River Railway, a branch line of the Seaboard Airline Railway served the area with service to Walinwa on Lake Weohyakapka and Nalaca in Highlands County. The area was deforested by 1927 and abandoned. Some foundation ruins remain in the area.<ref name=marker/> A hiking trail is located in the area.<ref name="sfwmd">{{cite web|url=https://www.sfwmd.gov/recreation-site/sumica|title=SUMICA | South Florida Water Management District|website=sfwmd.gov|accessdate=2017-12-28}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/fl/sumica.html Ghost Towns -- Sumica, Florida]

Category:Ghost towns in Florida Category:Former populated places in Polk County, Florida