Many local citizens are unaware of who Polk County was named for. Lots of residents think it was President James K Polk. They would be wrong. We were named for William Polk, Revolutionary War hero. This month's Polk County Historical Association program topic is on the contributions of William Polk.

The program will be held on Tuesday, February 17th inside the Polk County History Museum at 33 Gibson Street in downtown Columbus. It is set to begin at 2 pm. Local historian Robert Williamson will present the program.

William Polk was in Charlotte when the rebellion against England began. Though only seventeen, he joined a South Carolina regiment as a second lieutenant and fought there against loyalists; he was wounded at the Battle of Canebrake on December 22, 1775. After eleven months of recuperation he was commissioned a major in the Continental service, and in March 1777 he joined a regiment at Halifax. His regiment marched from there to join George Washington's forces in New Jersey. In September he fought in the Battle of Brandywine.

This month's program is continuing the Historical Association's effort to celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary. The public is invited to attend this presentation. There is no charge to participate.