History & eritageH GUIDE TO POLK COUNTY Welcome to Polk County – the heart of Central Florida! With a history that stretches back 12,000 years, our heritage is This guide has been prepared especially for those who want to both rich and diverse. From the Paleo-Indians who first set foot step into Polk County’s rich history. These pages will help you on the Florida peninsula, to the intrepid pioneers who founded navigate the Polk County Heritage Trail, which explores more the cities we know today, many people have made their mark. than 150 years of Polk County history and culture. Stops include historic homes, vintage hotels, museums and much more. From Frank Lloyd Wright to Civil War battles, there are many stories for you to uncover. You can devote one day or several days to the Heritage Trail, and the sites listed in this brochure are an excellent place to start. Visit www.polkhistorycenter.org to find additional recommendations.
Suggested single-day trips on the Heritage Trail: The Polk County History Center is a great place to begin your journey through time. Located in the Old Polk County Courthouse in downtown Bartow, the History Center has been Davenport Lakeland Lake Wales Loughman enriching Polk County’s future by preserving its past since 1998. Mulberry Frostproof Lake Hamilton Polk City Babson Park Haines City Dundee
On the front and back cover (From top, left to right)
Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales Hollis Bartow Auburndale Homeland Heritage Park, Homeland Homeland Lake Alfred Terrace Hotel, Lakeland Fort Meade Winter Haven Citrus Label in Central Park, Winter Haven Vintage Courthouse, Bartow Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture Florida The Polk Theatre, Lakeland
Saint Alban’s Church, Ramon Theater, Lake Morton Casa de Josefina, Florida Southern Auburndale Frostproof Historic District Lake Wales College, Lakeland The Polk County Story Incentivized by the Armed Occupation Act, pioneers began moving farther south into Florida in 1842. An 1849 hurricane in Hillsborough County and the allure of Polk County’s open grazing land pushed cattlemen and settlers alike into the center of the state. As immigration increased, the new Floridians established small farms, orange groves, one-room schools and churches. In 1861, Polk County (named in honor of former President James K. Polk) was signed into legislation.
In 1884, Henry B. Plant brought the South Florida Railroad through Polk County from Sanford to Tampa, generating explosive growth. Towns like Lakeland, Auburndale, Lake Alfred and Winter Haven rapidly developed along the new railroad. When the first commercial shipment of phosphate left the area in 1888, a new industry was born. By 1910, the Polk Theatre, Lakeland population had reached more than 37,000. Shortly thereafter, paved roads and beautiful homes replaced the small log shacks that had characterized the early towns and villages. On September 9, 1989, the 1908 courthouse was added to the By the 1950s, Polk County had become the heart of Florida’s National Register of Historic Places. After 10 years and $3 million politics and economy. in renovations, it reopened as the Polk County History Museum. Today, the History Center includes the museum, featuring both permanent and rotating exhibits, as well as the Historical and Historic Roots Genealogical Library – one of the largest collections of its kind Appropriately, the History Center has an interesting history in the southeastern United States. of its own. The “Vintage Courthouse” in Bartow is actually the third in a line of county courthouses built on this land, which was donated by cattle baron Jacob Summerlin in 1867. Polk Happy Trails! County’s third courthouse was built in 1908 and used until 1987, We hope you enjoy the Polk County Heritage Trail. If you have when construction was completed on the county courthouse any questions, the staff at the Polk County History Center will be currently in use. happy to assist you.
Vintage Courthouse, Christ Espicopal Jacob Bartow Church, Fort Meade Summerlin Lakeland Depot Bartow
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Go to VisitCentralFlorida.org to enhance your history and AVEOAK N Miles N FLORIDAAVEN W BOULEVARD ST FLORIDAAVEN East heritage tour experience. The website includes: Fun Adventures W CHURCH ST
W DAVIDSON ST and Attractions, Must Sees, Dining, Shopping, Outdoor Activities E MAIN ST W MAIN ST DUDLEY MILL MILL and lots more. SUMMERLIN ST W PARKER ST E STANFORD ST Interested in discovering more? Download the Florida Stories AVE FLORAL S E WABASH ST and Field Trip apps to your phone or mobile device. Florida E LEMON ST S BROADWAYS AVE S JACKSONAVES S JACKSONAVES S WILSON AVE WILSON S Stories takes you on a guided tour of the historic districts in W PEARL ST E PEARL ST
Bartow and Lake Wales while Field Trip notifies you of unique W VINE ST S OAK AVEOAK S facts and additional historic landmarks along the way. Both apps are free and available from the iPhone or Google Play stores. E STUART ST
The Polk County History Center is your first stop for heritage 1 Benjamin Franklin Holland House 590 E Stanford information and contains a museum and research library. Childhood home of Spessard L. Holland, 8 Historic sites listed in this brochure are also featured on former FL Governor and US Senator. Bartow Air Base Museum (NRHP) Built in 1895. 5001 U.S. 17 #400 • 863-533-1195 Heritage Trail, a series produced for the History Center by PGTV. Features WWII memorabilia. Formerly the Visit polkhistorycenter.org to view the videos and find us on 2 L.B. Brown House Bartow Army Air Field. Built in 1940. 470 S Second Avenue • 863-944-6136 9 Facebook at facebook.com/polkcountyhistorycenter. Possibly the only remaining house in Summerlin Institute Florida built and owned by a former slave. 590 S Wilson Avenue Museum open by appointment only. Site of Polk County’s first public school, (NRHP) Built in 1884. founded in 1887. Original cornerstone on display, current structure built circa 1920s. 3 Oakhill Historic Cemetery 10 W Parker Street (between Dudley & S Mill) South Florida Military College Pioneers Buried Here: Readding Blount, 1140 S Broadway Map Legend Riley Blount, Streety Parker, Gen. E.M. Law Site of school founded by Confederate and Jacob Summerlin. (NRHP) Est 1848. General Evander McIvor Law in 1895. Architecture School District 11 4 Fort Carroll Northeast Bartow Historic Cemetery Museum Festival 3350 FL-60 (at 91 Mine Road) Residential District Approximate location of stockade-type Boundaries: Jackson Avenue, 1st Avenue, depot established in 1841. The fort was Church Street and Boulevard Street Church Marker Other abandoned that same year in favor of Fort 27 historical buildings constructed in Cummings (Lake Alfred). frame vernacular, masonry vernacular and various revival styles. 5 Fort Fraser (NRHP) Built 1886–1925. Intersection of U.S. 98 & C.R. 540A Polk County 12 History Center L.B. Brown House Located on the Fort Fraser Trail, the marker South Bartow Historic District commemorates the fort established by Boundaries: Floral Avenue, 1st Avenue, Gen. Zachary Taylor (2nd Seminole War). Main Street and Vine Street 176 historical buildings built in a variety 6 Fort Blount of styles, many by professional architects. Intersection of Broadway and Main Street (NRHP) Constructed between 1885–1941. Commemorates approximate site of the 13 Blount Family home which was a refuge Bartow Historic for settlers during the Third Seminole War. Downtown District Boundaries: Davidson Street, 7 Polk County History Center Summerlin Street, Broadway Avenue 100 E Main Street • 863-534-4386 and Floral Avenue Home to permanent and rotating exhibits Architectural styles include Masonry and the county’s genealogical and Vernacular and Classical Revival whose research library. (NRHP) Built in 1908. period of significance spans 1885 to 1935. Homeland Fort Meade
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1 Alafia River Rendezvous 1 6 1000 Old Fort Meade Road • 863-603-3452 W. Henry Lewis Home Willoughby Tillis Battle Site The Alafia River Rendezvous is one of the largest living history events in the southeast. 424 N Oak Avenue 2nd Street SE in City Park Thousands gather each year to establish a camp on the site of the Florida Frontiersmen This Queen Anne-style house was built Marks battle between Seminole Indians club property and reenact life before 1840. for cattleman and citrus-grower W. Henry and Army soldiers led by Lt. Carlton. Lewis. (NRHP) Built in 1901. 2 Kissengen Spring 7 Fort Meade Historical Museum 2200 County Road 640 2 Heritage Park One Tecumseh Avenue • 863-285-7474 Popular recreation site from 1880s–1950s. Once discharged 20 million gallons per day 410 3rd Street NE Local artifacts, including a historic train, into the Peace River. Known as the Old Fort, the site was are housed in Fort Meade’s first school home and military headquarters for building. Lt. George G. Meade. A second marker 3 Homeland Heritage Park commemorates Lt. Gen Thomas J. 8 Fort Meade Historic District 249 Church Avenue • 863-534-3766 Stonewall as having served at Fort 214 W Broadway Street Historical park containing many of Polk County’s oldest buildings. Meade (1850–1851). Walking tour map of this historic district available at the Fort Meade Chamber of 3 Christ Episcopal Church Commerce. (NRHP) 331 E Broadway Homeland Homeland Oldest church currently in use in Polk Heritage Park Heritage Park Church County. (NRHP) Built circa 1887.
4 Battle of Bowlegs Creek Re-enactment & Heritage Festival 1639 Frostproof Highway F Annual festival reflects Fort Meade’s FROSTPROOF HWY history, including Battle of Bowlegs Creek re-enactment.
5 Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club
7000 Avon Park Cutoff Road PA
Located on 240 acres, between Avon RR IS
Park and Fort Meade. For fans of engines HR from the by-gone years. Festival held D every February. Lake Alfred Auburndale EXPERIMENT STATION EXPERIMENT RD
1 Auburndale Citrus Growers Association Packing House N BUENA VISTA BUENA N DR N BUENA VISTA BUENA N DR 7 Lake Swoope 214 Orange Street Historic Seaboard Air Line Depot This historic citrus packing house is 120 W Park Street • 863-965-5545 Auburndale’s only remaining historical In 1960, SAL operated more than 4,000 industrial building. (NRHP) Built in 1920. miles of road from Richmond to Miami. By appointment only. Built in 1923. E TANGERINE AVE 2 Auburndale City Hall One Bobby Green Plaza 8 First Fire Engine Originally housed the police and fire 100 Ariana Avenue departments, later used as everything The 1925 American LaFrance fire engine from a library to the mayor’s office. was delivered to the city on June 23, 1925 E ALFRED ST (NRHP) Built in 1927. via freight train. In 2001 the historic engine was placed on permanent display. 3 Early Auburndale Residence N RAMONA AVE RAMONA N N RAMONA AVE RAMONA N 212 Howard Street 9 Street Alban’s Episcopal Church An example of the frame vernacular 202 Ponotoc Street • 863-967-2130 E HAINES BLVD N SEMINOLE AVE SEMINOLE N construction style, popular in the 1900s Community-built church featuring with self-taught builders. Currently a tea three stained glass windows created by PIERCE ST AVE CAROLINA SOUTH
S GLENCRUITEN AVE GLENCRUITEN S room and bistro. Built in 1908. C.E. Langley in 1913. Built in 1898.
ORANGE ST Lake 4 10 Spirit of The Buffalo Pow Wow Haines Triangle Building E CUMMINGS ST 102 Main Street 1052 U.S. 92 W The only 1912 building to survive Held every January at International Market Auburndale’s three downtown fires World, featuring Native American food, (1912, 1913 and 1915). music and more. E THELMA ST
E ECHO ST 5 Ephraim Mikel Baynard Second 11 Auburndale Parks and Lake Echo Home/Museum Recreation Building 119 W Park Street • 863-965-5545 208 W Lake Avenue • 863-965-5545 Houses Auburndale’s historic display. MACKAY BLVD Former home of Auburndale’s founder, restored in the 1990s by the city and Open Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm students from Auburndale High School. Open by appointment only. (NRHP)
L Lake Stella Built circa 1894. A K E
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115 Lake Shore Way 160 Haines Boulevard R 208 E Park Street T OOW D Lake Alfred’s downtown retail center Formerly the Lake Alfred Citrus Growers W R
M Among the first masonry vernacular A IU V AD since the 1920s. Association Packing House. Built in 1922. structures in downtown Auburndale. John E ST Patterson commissioned construction 2 6 after a 1916 fire destroyed the preceding Historic Mackay Home Southern Gardens MAIN ST 276 Mackay Boulevard • 863-291-5272 255 E Main Street wooden structure. CHURCH ST Built by Scottish entrepreneur Alexander Formerly the Lake Alfred Hotel. Mackay. Outstanding example of Built in 1917. SHELBY ST Craftsman style architecture. Built in 1915. W PARK ST 7 Oak Grove Cemetery 3 Lake Alfred 616 Experiment Station Road PILAKLAKAHA AVE Historical Society Museum Pioneer families buried here: Posey, . 210 Seminole Avenue Ohlinger and Mincey. E LAKE AVE Miles Houses Lake Alfred’s historic display. West Formerly the Lake Alfred Bank, built in
8 Fort Cummings Marker AVE ARIANA 1925. Open Saturdays 11am–2pm. 185 S Lake Shore Way PONOTOC ST
Marker commemorates the fort UNION ST 4 UF Citrus Research established during the Second Seminole and Education Center War. Named in honor of Col. Alexander S MAIN ST MAIN S HOWARD ST 700 Experiment Station Road Cummings of the Fourth Infantry. PALMETTO ST
863-956-1151 ORANGE ST Oldest and largest off-campus research center in the UF’s Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences. Originally named Miles West the Citrus Experiment Station. Built in 1917. BRIDGERS AVE Winter Haven HAVENDALE BLVD NW AVE T NE
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Spring Lake Lake Mirror Lake CannonLake AVENUE O NW 1 1940 Publix Super Market 6 Presbyterian Church 197 W Central Avenue 637 6th Street NW • 863-294-3121 6TH ST NW ST 6TH George W. Jenkins opened the first Publix Built to serve the influx of residents in Food Store on 4th Street NW in 1930. Ten the 1920s. The sanctuary was built with AVE K NE years later he opened his dream store, the a Georgian façade in 1926. Lake Silver first freestanding, Publix Super Market, at this site. Built in 1940. 7 Interlaken Historic Residential District 2 3RD ST NW ST 3RD 3RD ST NW ST 3RD Lake Martha Cypress Gardens at LEGOLAND® Boundaries: North shore of Lake Florida Resort Howard and the Southwest shore One Legoland Way • 877-350-5346 of Lake Mirror AVE D NW Original botanical gardens have been These 50 historic homes are prime preserved. Must pay LEGOLAND® examples of Colonial Revival architecture. admission for access. Circa 1936. Lake Howard (NRHP) Built circa 1910.
S ST1ST E CENTRAL AVE 3 Winter Haven Woman’s Club 8 Florence Villa Training School LAKE HOWARD DR 660 Pope Avenue NW • 863-325-8411 762 Avenue O NE The Winter Haven Woman’s Club was Constructed in 1924 to serve the founded in 1913 under the direction of African-American students in Florence AVENUE C SE Dr. Mary Jewett. The historic clubhouse Villa. Resources were provided in part is now home to the Winter Haven History by the Julius Rosenwald School Fund. Museum. (NRHP) Built in 1923. In 1925 a fire destroyed the school and 1ST ST S ST1ST 1ST ST S ST1ST its furnishings.
6TH ST SE ST 6TH 4 3RD ST SWST 3RD Ritz Theatre Lake May 267 W Central Avenue • 863-295-9900 9 1st Pughsville Marker Hosted vaudeville shows and movies. 1601 3rd Street SE AVE K SE Built in 1925. An early, predominantly African American neighborhood. Named for Reverend 5 Inman Park Charles Pugh, founder of Winter Haven’s U.S. 17 at Avenue T NE Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. AVE O SE Park and Memorial Garden on land 3RD ST SE ST 3RD SE ST 3RD homesteaded by Dr. Frederick W. Inman. In the mid 1880s, the Inman family established the Florence Villa Community CYPRESS GARDENS BLVD & Frederick later served as first president
Lake Shipp of the Florida Citrus Exchange in 1909. Miles Southeast
Lake Lulu
Cypress Gardens at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort Ritz Theatre Woman’s Club, Winter Haven Davenport Loughman
1 Loughman Civic Center ORANGE ST W 6253 County Road 547 N ESCAMBIA AVE ESCAMBIA . Believed to have been built by the Everglades Miles North Cypress Lumber Company circa 1906. MARKET ST
COUNTY ROAD 547 N 2 Polk County Line - East Monument 6703 Old Tampa Highway W BAY ST BAY ST W 1930 marker denotes the Polk County Line when crossing over from Osceola County.
WILLIAMS ST 3 Loughman School 6105 County Road 547 N Teacher Ms. Shumate was one of the founders of the LEMON ST W Historical Association of Davenport. Built circa 1906. Lake Play
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1 Swimming Pool 3 S Allapaha Avenue KINNEY HARMON RD A Works Progress Administration project. Built in 1939. 5 Community Center 5 S Allapaha Avenue 2 City Hall This meeting hall was the largest project 1 S Allapaha Avenue • 863-422-4507 in Davenport constructed with federal relief assistance. Built in 1935. Originally held all of city hall, as well as the police and fire departments. Home to Davenport historic display. Built in 1927. 6 C.S. Taylor Candy Factory 203 W Bay Street 3 Whoolery House, The Hotel Built in 1930 to house Sun Dial Citrus Candies. Sold and renamed Taylor’s 301 W Maple Street 9 Davenport School 11 Horse Creek Festival (Biennial event) Tropical Sweets in 1935. Davenport’s second-oldest remaining 8 W Palmetto Street 1 S Allapaha Avenue structure. Previously used as a home, Davenport’s sole example of classical Celebrate Davenport, originally named boarding house and hotel. Now a tea 7 The Mart revival style architecture. Part of the “Horse Creek,” and all things Florida. Held room. Built in 1911. 124 W Bay Street National Historic District in Davenport. each November during odd numbered First tenants included Sun Dial Tropical Built in 1927. years. horsecreekfestival.org 4 Davenport Garage Sweets and Trumbles Hardware and Beer and Battery Company Parlor. Home to the Davenport Post Office 10 Wilson Park 12 Historic District from 1928–1970. Built in 1927. 2 S Allapaha Avenue 5 State Street N 1 S Allapaha Avenue A flat-iron style building, the garage was Wilson Park features markers Walking tour map of this historic district constructed in 1925. Featured three gas 8 Little Zion Church commemorating Medal of Honor available at the Davenport City Hall. pumps, a mechanical area and a large 3333 County Road 547 N recipient, MSgt. James R. Hendrix and (NRHP) Constructed between 1900–1949. showroom. First auto dealership and Davenport’s oldest remaining, and the historic Holly Hill Fruit Products, Inc. service station in Davenport. perhaps first, church. Built circa 1913. which is still in operation today. 1 Polk Hotel 7 Railroad Park Haines City 801 Hinson Avenue 100 N 6th Street Built by Ralph B. Polk during the Once home to the Leisure Lodge, 1920s boom, closed in 1930. One of constructed for social gatherings by the Polk County’s largest historic hotels. Village Improvement Society. Est. 1916.
Mile Built in 1926. Noutheast 8 Oakland Cemetery 2 Haines City Citrus 602 Avenue M SW Growers Association Founded by African American Baptists 8 Railroad Avenue on land donated by Harvey B. Angle. Formed in 1909 as an agricultural Founded circa 1902. Lake Tracy cooperative by six local growers, second INGRAHAM AVE oldest co-operative in Florida, and the first 9 Street Mark’s Episcopal Church citrus processing plant in America. 102 N 9th Street Built by hand by Civil War veteran 3 Paris Building Samuel Hodgman. Haines City’s only BAY ST PARK PL 600 Hinson Avenue remaining 19th-century building. Fondly remembered by long-time Built in 1892. N RAILROAD AVE MAIN ST E JONES AVE residents as a drugstore with a soda N 10TH ST 10TH N N 10TH ST 10TH N N 8TH ST 8TH N N 6TH ST 6TH N ST 9TH N N 6TH ST 6TH N ST 9TH N N 5TH ST 5TH N N 5TH ST 5TH N N 7TH ST 7TH N N 7TH ST 7TH N fountain. Built in 1923. 10 Downtown Haines City JONES AVE Commercial District 4 The Consolidated Arcade Boundaries: Hinson Avenue and 29 N 6th Street Ingraham Avenue, 4th Street and E HINSON AVE One of Haines City’s three original 7th Street arcades. Note the two balconies within Downtown’s historic commercial area with S 8TH ST 8TH S S 8TH ST 8TH S S 6TH ST 6TH S S 6TH ST 6TH S ST 9TH S S 5TH ST 5TH S S 5TH ST 5TH S S 7TH ST 7TH S the second-story facade. Built in 1925. 20 historic buildings. (NRHP) Constructed between 1913–1937. 5 S10TH ST The Gateway Club Building 11 OAK AVE 47 N 6th Street Haines City Historical Museum Built as a social club during the land 1001 Ingraham Avenue • 863-207-6752 S 2ND ST 2ND S S 2ND ST 2ND S S 3RD ST 3RD S S 3RD ST 3RD S S 4TH ST 4TH S S 1ST ST1ST S S 1ST ST1ST S boom, later converted to a naturopathic Houses Haines City’s historical display. hospital. Currently a Masonic Lodge. Built in 1923. 12 Central Grammar School 801 Ledwith Avenue LEDWITH ST 6 The Train Depot Designed in the Mission Revival One Park Place style by architect E.C. Hosford. (NRHP) The third train depot to be built on this Built in 1925. site. Built in 1923.
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Dundee Lake Hamilton W OMAHA ST N 6TH ST 6TH N ST 6TH N 1 M. Kampsen Historic 1 Lake Hamilton Dundee Depot Museum Woman’s Club Lake Lee 103 Main Street 85 N Omaha Street
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Designed by Tampa architect W BRYANT AVE Depot welcomed visitors to Dundee. B.C. Bonfoey, who also built Ybor Lake Sara (NRHP) Built in 1912. City’s Cuban Club. Built in 1924. W SAMPLE AVE Lake Ida LAWSON STW NELSON AVE Lake 2 Chief Chipco Memorial Gordon (in Sample Park) W MAIN ST 1ST ST 1ST 1ST ST 1ST U.S. 27 N of State Road 542 W MAIN ST
Marker honors Chief Chipco and W SMITH AVE ST 2ND his 1855 Seminole Indian Village. W MAIN ST MAIN ST Located on private property, call W GATES AVE
863-676-2518 to schedule a visit. ST 6TH S CENTER STCENTER DUNDEE RD
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Lake Starr W STARR AVE E STARR AVE 1 Lake Wales Depot Museum 325 S Scenic Highway • 863-676-5160 TOWER BLVD . miles north The museum showcases a variety of artifacts related to the early history and 7 AME Church development of Lakes Wales. (NRHP) 241 C Street Built 1928. The (African Methodist Episcopal Church) AME Church was first built in Lake Wales miles north 2 Lake of the Hills in 1918 as a wooden structure. Three more Community Club structures followed in 1923, 1928 and 1961. WASHINGTONWASHINGTON AVE 47 E Starr Avenue The current building was renovated in 1971. BURNS AVE Has served as a community social BLVDTOWER ST ST
ST ST N 9TH ST 9TH N E C center and voting place since 1926. 8 Spook Hill (NRHP) Built in 1926. Intersection of Dr. J.A. Wiltshire DRDR JA WILTSHIREWILTSHIRE AVEAVE North Lake Wales Avenue and 5th Street
N WALES N DR WALES 3 Bok Tower Gardens, Singing Park your car at the bottom and Tower & Pinewood Estate experience the mysterious force that 1151 Tower Boulevard • 863-676-1408 seems to defy gravity and rolls your Edward Bok commissioned world- car uphill backwards. N LAKESHORE BLVD N WALES DR renowned artisans to design tower’s surrounding gardens. One of the highest 9 Roosevelt School points in peninsular Florida. Crystal 115 E Street Lake (NRHP and NHL) Built in 1929. A Works Progress Administration PARK AVE project built in 1937, it is Lake Wales’ only STUARTSTUART AVEAVE Lake Wailes 4 Rhodesbilt Arcade remaining example of a school built for CENTRAL AVE 230 E Park Avenue children of African American heritage. The Rhodesbilt Arcade, one of the city’s most distinctive buildings, stretches 10 Lake Wales Pioneer Days between Park Avenue and Stuart Avenue S 2ND 2ND S N Lakeshore Boulevard 2ND and offers entry from either street. Lake Wales Pioneer Days celebrates the 11 ST S ST 11
ST ST S SCENIC HWY Mediterranean Revival Style. Built in 1926.
S 9TH ST 9TH S history of Lake Wales, Polk County and Florida. The annual festival is held on the 5 Polk State College shores of Lake Wailes the last weekend in October. Crafts, music, storytelling, HESPERIDES RD J.D. Alexander Center 152 E Central Avenue educational exhibits. Completed in the 1920s, the building once served as Lake Wales City Hall. 11 The Lake Wales It was constructed in a Mediterranean Historic Districts Revival style and has since been renovated The Lake Wales Historic Corridor for educational use by Polk State College. encompasses sites instrumental to the (NRHP) history and development of the area. A detailed architectural tour brochure of Bok Tower Gardens Depot Museum 6 Polk State College the numerous historic districts is available Lake Wales Arts Center at the Lake Wales Depot Museum and the 1099 State Road 60 • 863-298-6883 Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce. (Former Church of the Holy Spirit) Excellent example of Spanish Mission architecture. (NRHP) Built in the 1920s. Frostproof Babson Park
1 5 Ramon Theater Fort Clinch Historic Site Marker 15 E Wall Street • 863-635-7222 County Road 630, 1.3 Miles West Built by Frank and Vera Thompson, the of State Road 17 N SCENIC HWY theater provided entertainment from Several soldiers connected with Fort vaudeville to movies. Detailed map of all Clinch later gained prominence as Frostproof historic sites available upon generals in the Civil War. George G. request. Built in 1925. Meade surveyed for the fort; Ambrose P. LIBBY RD Hill was the fort’s adjutant and assistant 2 Citizens Bank & Arcade quartermaster; Thomas J. “Stonewall” 2 E Wall Street Jackson scouted in the area. Bank organized in 1920 with John Maxcy as president. Built in 1925. 6 Frostproof Historical Museum 210 S Scenic Highway • 863-635-2523 3 Frostproof Atlantic Housed in Frostproof’s first public library. Coastline Railway Depot Open Saturdays 1pm–4pm year round; Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm–4pm 118 E Wall Street October–May. Built in 1922. Later formed part of the CSX Crooked Lake Transportation system. Built in 1912. 7 Old Frostproof High School E 111 W 1st Street H AV 4 Silver Lake Cemetery 5T Great example of Mediterranean Revival Maxcy Quarters Road architecture built during the Florida land Land for the cemetery was donated by boom. (NRHP) Built in 1926. Walter H. Overrocker. Also known as Silver Hill Cemetery. Founded circa 1915.
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1 Babson Park Woman’s Club 3 Webber International University 1300 N Scenic Highway 1201 N Scenic Highway • 800-741-1844
W 2ND ST One of the last remaining buildings from The administrative building known as the town’s early development. (NRHP) “Old Main” serves as the President’s and S SCENIC HWY SCENIC S Built in 1931. Alumni office and was once used as a finishing school for women. “Old Main” 2 Hillcrest Lodge was constructed in 1927 and is original to the campus. Mile Hillcrest Heights, Incorporated South 241 Palm Avenue First and second lodges were destroyed by 3RD ST 3RD ST fires in 1917 and 1929. The third lodge still stands. Built circa 1929. Lakeland
7 The Carpenters’ Home 771 Carpenters Way LAKELAND The Carpenters’ Home was a union- OVERALL provided retirement home for members 1 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Henley Field and Joiners of America from 1929–1976. 1125 N Florida Avenue Excellent example of Mediterranean LAKELAND LAKELAND LAKELAND HIL LAKELAND Named for Clare Henley, who promoted Revival style. Built in 1927. Lakeland’s association with professional
HIL baseball. (NRHP) Built in 1922. LAKELAND LAKELAND LAKELAND HIL LAKELAND 8 Polk County Line – LS BLVD LS LS BLVD LS
N FLORIDAAVEN North Monument 2 Publix Field at U.S. 98 and County Road 54 H
I Lake Parker L Joker Marchant Stadium LS BLVD LS LS BLVD LS 1930 marker denotes the Polk County Line N FLORIDAAVEN 2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard when crossing over from Pasco County. W 10TH ST 863-686-8075 Lake Parker Spring training home of the Detroit Tigers. 9 Kathleen Area Historical Named for former Parks and Recreation W 10TH ST Society Heritage Day Director Joker Marchant. Built in 1966. SWINDELL RD W MEMORIAL AVE 8950 N Campbell Road • 863-858-6583
LA Annual celebration occurring on the K KE PARKER AVE PARKER KE 3 P E Florida Southern College/ third Saturday of March to celebrate and A
W MEMORIAL AVE R Child of the Sun-Frank Lloyd Wright
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A 750 Frank Lloyd Wright Way Kathleen Area. Including the communities K BARTOW RD AVE PARKER KE V Lake Bonnet Lake E P Wire E 863-680-4597 of Galloway, Gibsonia, Green Pond, A R
Lake K Home of the largest collection of Frank Griffin, Kathleen, Providence, Socrum and E MAIN STE Mirror R A W MAIN ST BARTOW RD Lloyd Wright buildings. (NRHP and NHL) Winston. www.kahsatsocrum.com GEORGE JENKINSLake BonnetBLVD Lake V E Wire Built between 1941–1958. Lake Lake Bonny Beulah D Lake HOLLINGSWORTH RD HOLLINGSWORTH V RD HOLLINGSWORTH E MAIN ST 10 L Lake Mirror Lodwick School of Aeronautics B GEORGE JENKINS BLVD W MAIN STS Morton SIKE 4 Historic Polk Theatre 2220 N Lake Avenue S CENTRAL AVE CENTRAL S S FLORIDAAVES Lake FLORIDAAVES Lake Bonny Beulah D 121 S Florida Avenue • 863-682-7553 Owned and operated by Albert Irvin HOLLINGSWORTH RD HOLLINGSWORTH V RD HOLLINGSWORTH L Lake B Lake S Morton Designed by Italian-born immigrant J.E. Lodwick, it was the first primary flight Hunter SIKE S CENTRAL AVE CENTRAL S S FLORIDAAVES S FLORIDAAVES Casale. Features Venetian piazza backdrop, school to open in the Eastern Flying Lake Horney twinkling stars and stage trap door. Elvis Training Command. Graduated over 7,000 Lake Presley performed here in 1956. (NRHP) American and British pilots between Hunter ARIANA ST Built in 1927. 1940–1945. Lake Hollingsworth Lake Horney 5 Socrum Cemetery 11 Polk County Line – ARIANA ST Lake Hollingsworth 3125 W Socrum Loop Road West Monument Pioneer families buried here: Hancock, 1199 County Line Road Lanier, Sherouse, Mizell, Bryant and Prine. 1930 marker denotes the Polk The Socrum area was one of Polk’s earliest County Line when crossing over communities. Founded circa 1850. from Hillsborough County. LAKELAND 6 12 Bethel Baptist Church Polk Museum of Art
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D D 3125 Socrum Loop Road W 800 E Palmetto Street • 863-688-7743
863-858-5525 The museum focuses largely on E E CI
Bethel Baptist church congregation contemporary art but also exhibits Pre- IT
Y Y D D RD RD first met on this site in 1851. Performed Colombian artifacts from many cultural
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baptisms in “Indian Pond” until 1951. groups in present-day Mexico, South and E E C E
TY TY Socrum interpretive marker at site. Central America. The objects date from Y N CAM ELL RD RD RD Built in 1928. circa 800 BC to circa AD 1500.
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Florida Southern Terrace Hotel, Joker Marchant Indian Lake College Lakeland Stadium
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CAM Indian Lake
ELL EL ELL L N RD RD CAM CARPENTERS PB
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L RD CARPENTERS LAKELAND Lake E BAY ST HISTORIC Wire IN ST MA SIKES BLVD E S LAKE AVE LAKE S DISTRICTS AVE LAKE S Lake E LEMON ST Mirror
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E ORANGE ST SWINDELL RD Lake Beulah E LIME ST E WALNUT ST
CHARLIE TAYLOR CHARLIE RD Lake Morton
NEW TAMPA HWY E PALMETTO ST HOLLINGSWORTH RD HOLLINGSWORTH HOLLINGSWORTH RD HOLLINGSWORTH S INGRAHAM AVE INGRAHAM S OLD TAMPA HWY JOHNSONAVE JOHNSONAVE
Lake Hunter FFRANKRANK LLOYDLLOYD WRIGHTWRIGHT WAYWAY E BAKER ST COUNTY LINE RD LINE COUNTY POLK PKWY FLORIDAAVES
E T U O H DR R ORT H SW T ING U LL O HO S KE LAKELAND N LA WEST DRANE FIELD RD ARIANA ST
Lake Hollingsworth BELVEDERE ST CAMPHOR DR CAMPHOR
MEDULLA RD
W BEACON RD W PIPKIN RD
13 Aerospace Discovery 17 Lake Morton 20 Munn Park Historic District 23 Dixieland Historic District at the Florida Air Museum Historic District, South Boundaries: E Bay Street, N Boundaries: Walnut Street, Florida 4175 Medulla Road • flysnf.org/ace Boundaries: Lake Morton Drive, Florida Avenue, E Orange Street Avenue, Lake Hunter, Hartsell Avenue Florida’s “Official Aviation Museum and Palmetto Street, Ingraham Avenue, and E Main Street and Belvedere Street Education Center” features a dynamic Johnson Avenue, Frank Lloyd Named after Lakeland founder, Named “Dixieland” because it was the display of aircraft and engines. Exhibits Wright Way, Belmar Street and Abraham Munn. (NRHP) Constructed first development south of downtown. highlight pioneers such as Howard Tennessee Avenue in the early 1900s. Mostly bungalow style architecture. Hughes, early air racers and countless 760 buildings within 50 blocks. (NRHP) Constructed in the early 1900s. Floridians who have influenced the Prominent styles are Frame Vernacular, 21 Lake Hunter Historic District world of aviation. Craftsman and Bungalow. (NRHP) Boundaries: Central Avenue, Greenwood 24 Beacon Hill Alta Vista Constructed between 1900–1942. Street, Ruby Street and Sikes Boulevard Historic District 14 Winston Elementary School The first post-World War II neighborhood Boundaries: S Florida Avenue, 3415 Swindell Road 18 Lake Morton to be designated a historic district. W Beacon Road, W Belvedere One of Lakeland’s “strawberry schools.” Historic District, East (NRHP) Street and Cherokee Trail Children went to school in the summer Boundaries: Orange Street, Ingraham Contains 215 historical buildings, mostly and used winter months to harvest Avenue, Palmetto Street, Lake Morton 22 residences. An early middle-class strawberries. (NRHP) Built circa 1928. Lake Mirror Promenade Drive and Massachusetts Avenue 702 E Orange Street neighborhood. (NRHP) Constructed 215 historical buildings, mostly residences. Florida’s most significant example of between 1900–1940. 15 Central Avenue School (NRHP) Constructed between 1900–1940. the City Beautiful Movement. Designed 604 S Central Avenue by Charles W. Leavitt and constructed One of the county’s few surviving school 19 Biltmore-Cumberland between 1926–1928. (NRHP) buildings built before 1948. (NRHP) Historic District, South Built in 1926. Boundaries: S Ingraham Avenue, E Lime Street, Bartow Road, Hollingsworth Downtown Lakeland Munn Park Lake Mirror Promenade 16 Old Lakeland High School Road and McDonald Place. 400 N Florida Avenue Predominantly Masonry Vernacular Currently Lawton Chiles Middle Academy, construction. Blending of street patterns the building designed by E.C. Hosford was is reminiscent of the City Beautiful built in 1927. (NRHP) The site previously movement. (NRHP) served as the location for Lakeland’s earliest school. 2ND ST N CHURCH AVECHURCH N Suggested Driving Tour on W CANAL ST E CANAL ST the Heritage Trail
Mulberry SE 1ST ST
1 Mulberry Phosphate Museum 101 SE 1st Street • 863-425-2823 SW 2ND ST S CHURCH AVECHURCH S Includes prehistoric bones and artifacts AVE1ST NE excavated during the mining process. SE 3RD ST
2 Pierce 5000 Old Highway 37 SW 4TH ST Location of the phosphate mining town Historically, Polk County is the epicenter to one of of Pierce, one of many company-owned mining communities that once populated Florida’s largest agricultural industries, citrus. Polk. By the 1950s workers could commute and the mining towns ceased to be A partnership between the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, necessary. Visit Central Florida and the Polk County History OLD STATE OLD HWY37 Center’s History & Heritage Trail inspired the creation of the Citrus Label Tour of Polk County. This driving experience explores marketing citrus through the labels that once adorned the wooden crates used to ship fresh fruit to northern markets in the early 1900s. Enlarged reproductions of these vintage labels are Polk City currently on display at historic sites in Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Fort Meade, Haines City, Lake Alfred, 1 Green Pond Cemetery Lake Wales and Lakeland. miles north 715 Green Pond Road Pioneer families buried here: Contact the Polk County History Center or visit Raulerson, Bridges and Judy. Founded 1879. PolkHistoryCenter.org and select the History & Heritage Trail icon for more information and a tour map.
Mulberry Green Pond Phosphate Museum Cemetery 800-828-7655 | VisitCentralFlorida.org facebook.com/VisitCentralFlorida twitter.com/VisitCentralFL