By the 1880s, Frostproof began to see its first permanent settlers as homesteaders were attracted to the abundant hunting in the area which included much deer and turkey, as well as ample fishing.

[8] The name was a marketing ploy to convince potential landowners that the town has never had, and never would have, a frost that could destroy the large citrus-driven economy.

[8] However, after being confused regularly with Keystone Heights, a city in North Florida, Frostproof was coined.

Carson's choice of Frostproof was based on the town's relatively minor damage from the freeze in December 1894, which ruined much of the state's citrus crop.

[citation needed] Carson volunteered to deliver the application to the post office in Fort Meade and on the way changed the name from Lakemont to Frostproof, which was approved.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2), all land.

Frostproof is located within the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plain with a terrain consisting of flatland interspersed with gently rolling hills.

[13] In spite of the city's name, Frostproof experiences at least one night of sub-freezing temperatures during 65% of its winters.

Frostproof is home to the Latt Maxcy Corporation and Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., both members of the agricultural cooperative Florida's Natural.

The theater is still in operation and hosts live music and entertainment as well as murder mystery events.

The Historic Atlantic Coast Line Train Depot, built in 1912, has been renovated and is "Polk County's Newest Old Attraction."