The loss of Cotton Walker on January 4, 2004 was a loss for everyone who knew him. Benjamin Walker was born on August 22, 1926 in Roanoke, Alabama. He was moved to Bartow when he was two weeks old and lived in Polk County for the remainder of his life. Cotton, as he was affectionately called by one and all, had worked as a volunteer at the Polk County Historical Museum since 1999, beginning less than a year after the Museum opened. He was an avid collector of Native American artifacts, as well as bottles, coins and various other items. After returning from the Army in 1946, he became a certified watchmaker and opened his own shop. He eventually went to work for Crown Cork and Seal in Bartow where he worked for over 20 years before retiring. Cotton was also a championship archer, participating in the 1960s at the World Archery Championship and placing third. Because of his many achievements the City of Bartow named a park in his honor - the Ben C. Walker Park was located behind Citrus & Chemical Bank. Cotton was a great asset to the historical community in Polk County, spending many of his days talking with visitors at the museum, showing his arrowhead and bottle collections and sharing tales of days gone by. Always generous with his time and knowledge he became a popular attraction himself at the museum, where many wanted to know when he would be in so they could meet and talk with him. Cotton's artifacts will remain on display with us at the Historical Museum, reminding everyone of this generous man.
The loss of Cotton Walker on January 4, 2004 was a loss for everyone who knew him. Benjamin Walker was born on August 22, 1926 in Roanoke, Alabama. He was moved to Bartow when he was two weeks old and lived in Polk County for the remainder of his life. Cotton, as he was affectionately called by one and all, had worked as a volunteer at the Polk County Historical Museum since 1999, beginning less than a year after the Museum opened. He was an avid collector of Native American artifacts, as well as bottles, coins and various other items. After returning from the Army in 1946, he became a certified watchmaker and opened his own shop. He eventually went to work for Crown Cork and Seal in Bartow where he worked for over 20 years before retiring. Cotton was also a championship archer, participating in the 1960s at the World Archery Championship and placing third. Because of his many achievements the City of Bartow named a park in his honor - the Ben C. Walker Park was located behind Citrus & Chemical Bank. Cotton was a great asset to the historical community in Polk County, spending many of his days talking with visitors at the museum, showing his arrowhead and bottle collections and sharing tales of days gone by. Always generous with his time and knowledge he became a popular attraction himself at the museum, where many wanted to know when he would be in so they could meet and talk with him. Cotton's artifacts will remain on display with us at the Historical Museum, reminding everyone of this generous man.
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