2024 Map of Baird

About this map

Payne Creek and its tributary Little Payne Creek define the low-lying drainage patterns of this Central Florida landscape, which spans the boundary of Polk and Hardee counties. The area is characterized by a mix of managed wetlands and industrial land use, with expansive basins such as Hookers Prairie in the north and the southern reaches of Hardee Lakes Park. Small settlements like Baird and Fort Green serve as local hubs, connected by a network of rural roads including Old Hwy 37 and Old Brewster Rd. The presence of the Paynes Creek Primitive Cem in the southeastern corner offers a specific point of interest for genealogists tracing early families in this phosphate-rich region. The map illustrates how local watercourses like the Olive Branch have shaped the placement of roads and property boundaries across the varied terrain.