Imperial Polk County

Polk County, Florida was once known by natives as "Imperial Polk County" because of its prime location at the crossroads of the Sunshine State. The citrus and phosphate industries thrived.

But Polk County's own Lawton Chiles didn't see much use for the "imperial" trappings of the ex-presidency. Nearly every he was in the U.S. Senate, he introduced a bill removing all or part of the secret service protection and other perks of ex-presidency. It went nowhere.

The above photo is a sign in front of the Jimmy Carter Compound in Plains, Georgia, where the family residence enjoys 24-hour secret service protection--thirty years after his presidency.