Situated in the western portion of Anson County along U.S. Highway 74 near the small community of Peachland, the town of Polkton was named for a famous native son. Leonidas Lafayette Polk not only founded the community, his name became synonymous with education throughout North Carolina. Polk's unwavering ambition and vision were instrumental in the founding of Meredith College and North Carolina State University College. He also inspired the agricultural community with his publication of The Progressive Farmer magazine. Many felt that this charismatic crusader would have won the nomination for President of the United States in 1892. The Polkton campus of today's South Piedmont Community College pays homage to this famous patriarch. One of the landmarks of Polkton is the original train depot, built by a local resident and donated to the Polkton Woman's Club. This historic structure has been beautifully restored and now serves as a meeting place for civic organizations and special events. A number of flourishing manufacturing enterprises already call Polkton home, and the town's economy continues to grow and mature.