Highland City is a census-designated place (CDP) in Polk County, Florida, United States.

The modern-day area of Highland City was the site of the United States Army's Fort Fraser, established in 1837 during its war with the Seminole Indians.

In 1885, the Pemberton Ferry Branch of the South Florida Railroad was completed between Lakeland and Bartow.

The stop, and eventual village, was named for the Haskell brothers, who were early investors in the South Florida Railroad.

(In 1958, the depot was demolished due to its proximity to the roadway, and was replaced by a new freight building).

[5] The first postmaster (and also the first freight agent of the depot) in Haskell, Thomas A. Goode, was appointed on February 9, 1887.

For example, a new train depot, constructed in 1958, originally featured a sign with the mistakenly spelled "Highlands City" name.

Lakeland Ledger reporter Courtland Anderson made special note of the error in the caption of his photo of the new depot.

For many years, HCVFD operated the fire service in Highland City on a completely volunteer basis.

The group's goals included beautification, utility upgrades and safer neighborhoods.

[10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), all land.