LAKELAND, FLORIDA

Lakeland, Florida is a city of about 126,000 people in Polk County. 

It is in the fast growing I-4 corridor between Orlando and Tampa in the center of a metro area that has more than 500,000 people.

Hollis Garden, Lakeland
Flickr/Michel Curi

It is just far enough away from busy Interstate 4 to have preserved much of its original small town charm.

Lakeland was first settled in the years after the Civil War, and began to grow quickly once the railroads came to town in 1884.

The town was founded by Abraham Munn, who purchased 80 acres in what is now downtown Lakeland.

Lakeland Florida Vintage Postcard

The Florida land boom of the 1920's saw many major buildings go up in downtown Lakeland.

Many of the major buildings built in the 1920s are still standing and are on the National Register of Historic Places.

These include the Terrace Hotel and New Florida Hotel, now known as Regency Towers.

The Terrace Hotel on Lake Mirror

Lakeland also has numerous historic districts with buildings that go back to the 1920's, 30's and 40's. Many parks are in these neighborhoods, including several of them around Lake Mirror.  

Downtown Lakeland

This small city is one of the prettiest in all of Florida.  It is liberally dotted with beautiful small lakes and has a large swan population that lives and prospers among the lakes.

Swan and Sculpture on Lake Mirror

Swan sculptures are placed all over town and seem to be the mascot of choice. 

Lake Morton and Lake Mirror are in the downtown area, and are home to hundreds of swans.

The beautiful birds are fed and cared for by the City of Lakeland.

Statuary of birds and animals are abundant throughout the downtown area of this beautiful town.

Alligator Statue

LAKELAND FLORIDA THE ALL AMERICAN CITY

For many years, up until the 1970's, Lakeland's nickname was the "All American City".

It was considered a bellweather for all of the United States. It was believed that if a concept worked in Lakeland, it was likely to succeed elsewhere.

First Red Lobster, Lakeland, Florida

One restaurant concept that clearly succeeded was the nationally known Red Lobster patterned after Gary's Duck Inn in Orlando.

In 1968, I had lunch at the first Red Lobster to ever open in this country on the first week it opened. It was on Lake Ellenor Drive on Lake Parker.

My fried flounder platter cost $ 1.69. The same meal today is about 8 times as much.

George Jenkins with Publix Customer

Lakeland is also the home of Publix, Florida's premier grocery chain. It's founder, George Jenkins, died some years ago but is fondly referred to by Publix employees as "Mr. George".

Lawton Chiles on Campaign Trail

Former U.S. Senator and Florida Governor, the late Lawton Chiles, was also a native of Lakeland.

Today's Lakeland Florida is a great place to visit, shop, dine and just enjoy the parks and swans.

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT COMES TO LAKELAND FLORIDA

Frank Lloyd Wright was a world famous architect who came to Lakeland in 1938 and spent the next 20 years working on designs for various buildings on the Florida Southern College campus. 

Frank Lloyd Wright

He designed 18 buildings of which 9 of were built and still in daily use.

Florida Southern has the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the world.

Annie Pfeiffer Chapel at Florida Southern College
Flickr/John Hallett

This collection is named Child Of The Sun, and includes the first of Wright's buildings to be completed, the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel.

Usonian House at Florida Southern College

The most recent addition to the collection is his Usonian House. Originally designed in 1939, it represents the architects vision for homes in the United States as well as their communities. 

The chapel was started in 1938, dedicated in 1941 and partially restored in 2007.

Other buildings are in various stages of restoration, and the entire campus is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Frank Lloyd Wright Building at Florida Southern College

The Child Of The Sun Visitor Center offers guided tours of the Wright buildings during summer for $15/person for a basic one hour tour, and $30/person for a two hour in-depth tour.

Self guided free walking tours are also available all of the time, and tour maps are liberally located throughout the campus.

The visitor center is open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-2pm, and Sunday 2pm-4pm.

The grounds are open 24 hours/day and many of the buildings are open. You can call 863-680-4597 for more information.

Enjoy this brief video tour of the Florida Southern College campus and collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings.

THINGS TO DO IN LAKELAND FLORIDA

Hollis Garden - 702 E Orange St, Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 834-2280 - A beautifully landscaped garden with fountains, flowers, and koi ponds that offers a peaceful retreat for visitors.

Circle B Bar Reserve - 4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland, FL 33803, (863) 668-4673 - A nature reserve featuring hiking trails, boardwalks, and wildlife viewing opportunities, including alligators, birds, and more.

Polk Museum of Art - 800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 688-7743 - A museum with a diverse collection of art from around the world, including works by contemporary artists and masterpieces from the past.

Florida Southern College - 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 680-4111 - A historic college campus designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, featuring unique and striking buildings.

The Lakeland Center - 701 W Lime St, Lakeland, FL 33815, (863) 834-8100 - A multi-purpose event venue that hosts concerts, sports events, and conventions throughout the year.

Sun n' Fun Aerospace Expo – 4075 James C. Ray Dr., Lakeland, FL 33811, (863) 644-2431 - An annual aviation event featuring air shows, workshops, and exhibits, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world.

Joker Marchant Stadium - 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33805, (863) 686-8075 - A minor league baseball stadium, also known as Publix Field, that hosts the Lakeland Flying Tigers and offers family-friendly entertainment and concessions.

Explorations V Children's Museum – 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 687-3869 - A hands-on museum designed for children, with interactive exhibits on science, art, and culture.

RP Funding Center - 701 W Lime St, Lakeland, FL 33815, (863) 834-8100 - A multi-purpose indoor arena that hosts sports events, concerts, and trade shows, with seating for up to 8,000 people.

Cleveland Heights Golf Course - 2900 Buckingham Ave, Lakeland, FL 33803, (863) 834-2377 - A public golf course with a challenging layout and beautiful views of Lake Hollingsworth, perfect for golfers of all skill levels.

RECOMMENDED LAKELAND RESTAURANT

Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille

101 North Kentucky Avenue
Lakeland, Florida 33801
Tel: 863-686-2228

Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille

I enjoy Southern, Cajun and Creole food. Harry's is one of the best places to find this food in Central Florida.

It is conveniently located in downtown Lakeland and is not only a great restaurant, but has a nice little bar scene as well.

The interior is light and cheery, and you have your choice of dining inside or outside on a patio that fronts the street with a lovely park on the other side.

READ MORE ABOUT HARRY'S SEAFOOD BAR AND GRILLE