Landmarks
Polk County is a place filed with amazing historical landmarks. From the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot to the Winter Haven Heights Historic Residential District, all of Polk County's landmarks show just how rich Polk County's historical background is.
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot
"Constructed of brick and covered with pink stucco, the Depot at 325 S. Scenic Highway was built as a passenger station by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1928 at an approximate cost of $51,000. Replacing service at the original depot, the new location was chosen to relieve traffic congestion in the downtown area. A freight room and loading platform were added in 1938."
- From Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot's About Page on the Lake Wales Website
Auburndale Citrus Growers Association Packing House
"The Auburndale Citrus Growers Association Packing House (also known as the Exchange Packing House or Adams Packing Co. Cold Storage Facility) is a historic site in Auburndale, Florida, United States. It is located at 214 Orange Street. On July 17, 1997, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Auburndale Citrus Growers Association Packing House Wikipedia Page
B. K. Bullard House
"The B. K. Bullard House is a historic home in Lake Wales, Florida, United States. It is located at 644 South Lakeshore Boulevard. On August 31, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From B. K. Bullard house Wikipedia Page
Babson Park Woman's Club
"The Babson Park Womans Club clubhouse was constructed in 1931. This property is a Mediterranean Revival style building. Several buildings of this style were built in the area during the early 1930s, however few remain and all have been altered. Although some alterations have been made to the Womans Club, it is the best remaining example of the Mediterranean Revival style buildings in the Babson Park area."
- From the Division of Historical Resources Website
Bartow Downtown Commercial District
A complete historical district roughly bounded by Davidson and Summerlin Streets and Broadway and Florida Avenues in the Bartow Downtown area.
Beacon Hill-Alta Vista Residential District
"The Beacon Hill-Alta Vista Residential District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on March 4, 1993) located in Lakeland, Florida. The district is bounded by South Florida Avenue, West Beacon Road, West Belvedere Street and Cherokee Trail. It contains 77 historic buildings."
- From Beacon Hill-Alta Vista Residential District Wikipedia Page
Benjamin Franklin Holland House
"The Benjamin Franklin Holland House (also known as The Gables or Roy Trent Gallemore House) is a historic home in Bartow, Florida, United States. It is located at 590 East Stanford Street. Benjamin Franklin Holland was the father of Spessard Holland, one of Florida's governors as well as a United States senator representing the state. On April 3, 1975, the house was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Benjamin Franklin Holland House Wikipedia Page
Biltmore-Cumberland Historic District
"The Biltmore-Cumberland Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on June 4, 2004) located in Lakeland, Florida. The district is bounded by South Ingraham Avenue, East Lime Street, Bartow Road, Hollingsworth Road, and McDonald Place. It contains 201 historic buildings."
- From Biltmore-Cumberland Historic District Wikipedia Page
Bok Mountain Lake Sanctuary and Singing Tower
"Bok Tower Gardens offers visitors Florida's most abundant opportunities for aesthetic, cultural and personal enrichment. The lush landscapes of the Olmsted gardens, the majesty and music of the Singing Tower with its 60-bell carillon and the splendor of Pinewood Estate create an experience that inspires all who visit."
- From Historic Bok Sanctuary Official Website
The Bok Tower Gardens are located in Lake Wales, the tower sits on Iron Hill, one of the highest points in all of peninsular Florida. For more information on the Sancuary, you can also visit the Bok Tower Gardens Wikipedia Page.
C.L. Johnson House
"The C. L. Johnson House is a historic home in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 315 East Sessoms Avenue. On September 21, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From C. L. Johnson House Wikipedia Page
Casa De Josefina
"The Casa De Josefina (also known as the I. A. Yarnell House) is a historic home near Lake Wales, Florida. It is located two miles southeast of Lake Wales off U.S. 27. On June 10, 1975, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The 25 room mansion is built in the eclectic Florida Boom style. It was built in 1923 by real estate developer I.A. Yarnell for his wife Josephine. The house overlooks Lake Amoret and the entrance to Yarnell's Highland Park development. During their residence the Yarnells hosted extravagant parties at La Casa making it an important social center for nearby residents. La Casa continues to be a private residence."
- From Casa De Josefina Wikipedia Page
"Money filled Yarnell's bank account. By 1923 he had enough to pay off the Bullard mortgage which enabled him to become the owner fo Highland Park. That same year he moved from his former home at Crooked Lake and settled his family in the extravagant 25-room mansion which he had built on a slight hilltop overlooking the entrance to Highland Park."
Central Avenue School
"The Central Avenue School, built in 1926 during the Florida Boom Era, is a Masonry Vernacular building. The property retains a high level of architectural integrity although alterations have occurred. Currently the school serves as an adult educational facility."
- From the Division of Historical Resources Website
Chalet Suzanne
"The Hinshaw family has been making guests welcome for over 70 years, whether you come by car or plane, for a single meal or several, for one day or more. This enchanting Inn of 30 rooms, nestled on a 100 acre estate, is a gracious oasis amidst the excitement of Central Florida attractions, catering to discriminating guests of all ages."
- From Chalet Suzanne Official Website
Christ Church
"1889. Frame Vernacular with Gothic Revival elements. J. H. Weddell, architect. 1 story, gabled tin roof, off-center side-entrance porch, 2-story corner tower, stick-work belfry. Probably the oldest religious structure in the county. Considered an unusual example of Carpenter Gothic in its use of horizontal drop siding."
- From the Division of Historical Resources Website
Church of the Holy Spirit
"1927. Spanish Mission. P.C. Samuell, architect. 1 story. Considered a superb example of its style. Sold to the city of Lake Wales by the Catholic Diocese in 1989."
- From the Division of Historical Resources Website
"The Church of the Holy Spirit (also known as the Lake Wales Cultural Center) is a historic former church in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 1099 Hesperides Road. On August 31, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Church of the Holy Spirit Wikipedia Page
Cleveland Court School
"The Cleveland Court School is a Colonial Revival style building. Construction on the building started in 1928 and the building was completed in 1929. Currently, the building continues to be an educational facility, the Cleveland Court Elementary School."
- From the Division of Historical Resources Website
Davenport Historic District
"The Davenport Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on August 15, 1997) located in Davenport, Florida. The district is bounded by Suwannee and Orange Avenues, Palmento Street, and West Boulevard. It contains 28 historic buildings and 1 structure."
- From Davenport Historic District Wikipedia Page
Dixie Walesbilt Hotel
"The Dixie Walesbilt Hotel (also known as the Grand Hotel) is a historic hotel in Lake Wales, Florida, United States located at 115 North 1st Street. The Walesbilt Hotel was renamed the Grand by a New York owner during the 1980's. The structure was built in 1926 after a stock-sale campaign in the local business community. It opened in January 1927, two years before Edward Bok's famous Bok Tower was completed nearby. "
- From Dixie Walesbilt Hotel Wikipedia Page
Dixieland Historic District
"What is now the Dixieland Historic District originated in 1907 when local real estate developers Henry B. Carter and C. W. Deen purchased 160 acres between Lakes Hollingsworth and Morton. They christened their proposed new development Dixieland, apparently because it was the first subdivision in Lakeland to be developed south of the downtown area."
- From Dixieland Historic District Page Found On Lakeland Official Website
Downtown Haines City Commercial District
"The Downtown Haines City Commercial District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on March 7, 1994) located in Haines City, Florida. The district is bounded by Hinson and Ingraham Avenues, and 4th and 7th Streets. It contains 20 historic buildings."
- From Downtown Haines City Commercial District Wikipedia Page
Downtown Winter Haven Historic District
"The Downtown Winter Haven Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on February 4, 2002) located in Winter Haven, Florida. The district is bounded by roughly Avenue A Northwest, Avenue A Southwest, 3rd and 5th Streets. It contains 26 historic buildings."
- From Downtown Winter Haven Historic District Wikipedia Page
East Lake Morton Residential District
"The East Lake Morton Residential District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on July 9, 1993) located in Lakeland, Florida. The district is bounded by Orange Street, Ingraham Avenue, Palmetto Street, Lake Morton Drive and Massachusetts Avenue. It contains 215 historic buildings."
- From East Lake Morton Residential District Wikipedia Page
El Retiro (Lake Wales, Florida)
"El Retiro (also known as Encierro) is a historic site in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located on Mountain Lake, off State Road 17. On December 12, 1985, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From El Retiro (Lake Wales, Florida) Wikipedia Page
First Baptist Church (Lake Wales, Florida)
"The First Baptist Church is a historic church in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 338 East Central Avenue. On August 31, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From First Baptist Church (Lake Wales, Florida) Wikipedia Page
Child of the Sun
"Child of the Sun is the title for a group of buildings designed for the campus of the Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, USA, by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright from 1941 through 1958. The buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and together form one of the largest collections of buildings by the architect."
- From Child of the Sun Wikipedia page
Fort Meade Historic District
"The Fort Meade Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on July 29, 1994) located in Fort Meade, Florida. The district is bounded by North 3rd Street, Orange Avenue, South 3rd Street and Sand Mountain Road. It contains 151 historic buildings."
- From Fort Meade Historic District Wikipedia Page
Griffin Grammar School
"The Griffin Grammar School is a historic school building in Lakeland, Florida. It is located at 3315 Kathleen Road. On June 5, 2007, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Griffin Grammar School Wikipedia page
Henley Field Ball Park
"The Henley Field Ball Park is a historic site in Lakeland, Florida. It is located at 1125 North Florida Avenue. Clare Henley, for whom the park was named in 1942, encouraged its construction in an effort to persuade a professional baseball team to train there. On May 23, 1997, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Henley Field Ball Park Wikipedia page
Homeland School
"The Homeland School is a historic school in Homeland, Florida. It is located at 249 Church Avenue, inside Homeland Heritage Park. On February 2, 2007, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Homeland School Wikipedia page
Interlaken Historic Residential District
"The Interlaken Historic Residential District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on March 28, 2002) located in Winter Haven, Florida. The district is bounded by North Shore Lake Howard, Southwest Shore Lake Mirror and the Cannon-Howard Canal. It contains 50 historic buildings."
- From Interlaken Historic Residential District Wikipedia page
Holland Jenks House
"The Holland Jenks House (also known as the Stuart Jenks House) is a historic home in Auburndale, Florida, United States. It is located at 119 Raintree Court. On March 7, 1996, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Holland Jenks House Wikipedia page
C. L. Johnson House
"The C. L. Johnson House is a historic home in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 315 East Sessoms Avenue. On September 21, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From C. L. Johnson House Wikipedia page
Lake Hunter Terrace Historic District
"The Lake Hunter Terrace Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on December 20, 2002) located in Lakeland, Florida. The district is bounded by roughly Central Avenue, Greenwood Street, Ruby Street, and Sikes Boulevard. It contains 163 historic buildings."
- From Lake Hunter Terrace Historic District Wikipedia page
Lake Mirror Promenade
"The Lake Mirror Promenade (also known as the First Civic Center) is a historic site in Lakeland, Florida. It is located between Lemon Street and Lake Mirror Drive. On January 27, 1983, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The project was built in two phases and completed in 1928. Charles W. Leavitt of New York was the designer."
- From Lake Mirror Promenade Wikipedia page
Lake of the Hills Community Club
"The Lake of the Hills Community Club is a historic site in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 41 East Starr Avenue. On March 24, 2000, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Lake of the Hills Community Club Wikipedia
Lake Wales City Hall
"The Lake Wales City Hall is a historic site in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 152 East Central Avenue. On August 31, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. In 2007, Polk Community College began a $3.6 million renovation of the historic structure, converting it into a modern academic center. When complete in 2009 the building will be outfitted with a 50-seat Student Success Center, one 30-seat computer classroom, four 30-seat general classrooms and a 30-seat classroom/community room, which could be used as a meeting room for local civic groups. The center will initially serve 125 students."
- From Lake Wales City Hall Wikipedia page
Lake Wales Commercial Historic District
"The Lake Wales Commercial Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on May 10, 1990) located in Lake Wales, Florida. The district is bounded by the US 27A Scenic Highway, Central Avenue, Market Street, and Orange Avenue. It contains 16 historic buildings."
- From Lake Wales Commercial Historic District Wikipedia page
Lake Wales Historic Residential District
"The Lake Wales Historic Residential District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on August 8, 1997) located in Lake Wales, Florida. The district is bounded by the Seaboard Airline RR grade, CSX RR tracks, East Polk Avenue, South and North Lake Shore Boulevards. It contains 206 historic buildings."
- From Lake Wales Historic Residential District Wikipedia page
Mountain Lake Colony House
"The Mountain Lake Colony House (also known as the Mountain Lake Club House) is a historic site within the Mountain Lake Estates Historic District in Lake Wales, Florida. This three-story Mediterranean Revival clubhouse and inn was originally designed in 1916 by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., and features pergolas, loggias, and a barrel-tile roof. It is located east of State Road 17, on the north shore of Mountain Lake. On February 22, 1991, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Mountain Lake Colony House Wikipedia page
Mountain Lake Estates Historic District
"The Mountain Lake Estates Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on August 26, 1993), located north of Lake Wales, Florida, off the US 27A Scenic Highway. Mountain Lake Estates was first developed in the 1920s as an exclusive residential area created "to attract the nation's business elite."[1]. The developers hired Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. to design the community. Such wealthy and widely-known people as Edward W. Bok (long-time editor of Ladies' Home Journal and Pulitzer-Prize-winning author), August Heckscher (benefactor of the Heckscher Museum of Art), and Irving T. Bush (of Bush Terminal, Bush Tower, and Bush House fame) subsequently became early "snowbirds" and established winter homes in or near Mountain Lake Estates."
- From Mountain Lake Estates Historic District Wikipedia page
Munn Park Historic District
"The Munn Park Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on November 3, 1997) located in Lakeland, Florida. It is named in honor of the city's founder, Abraham Munn. The district is bounded by East Bay Street, North Florida Avenue, East Orange Street, and East Main Street. It contains 48 historic buildings and 1 object."
- From Munn Park Historic District Wikipedia page
North Avenue Historic District
"The North Avenue Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on October 12, 2001) located in Lake Wales, Florida. The district is along the 100 Block of North Avenue. It contains 12 historic buildings."
- From North Avenue Historic District Wikipedia page
Northeast Bartow Residential District
"The Northeast Bartow Residential District is a historic district in Bartow, Florida. Composed of an area bounded by Jackson and 1st Avenues and by Church and Boulevard Streets, the district includes twenty-six contributing properties. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993."
- From Northeast Bartow Residential District Wikipedia page
Oak Hill Cemetery (Bartow, Florida)
"The Oak Hill Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Bartow, Florida. It is located on West Parker Street. On February 12, 2003, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Oak Hill Cemetery (Bartow, Florida) Wikipedia page
Oates Building
"The Oates Building (former home of the Oates-Corley Furniture Company) is a historic site in Lakeland, Florida. It was designed by noted architect Edward Columbus Hosford. It is located at 230 South Florida Avenue. On July 28, 1995, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Oates Building Wikipedia page
Old Dundee Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot
"The Old Dundee ACL Railroad Depot is a historic Atlantic Coast Line Railroad depot in Dundee, Florida. It is located at 103 Main Street. On July 30, 2001, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Dundee Depot Museum is located in the historic depot. In 2009, the museum was renamed the Margaret Kampsen Historic Dundee Depot Museum. The museum houses items of local and railroad history."
- From Old Dundee Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot Wikipedia pages
Old Frostproof High School
"The Old Frostproof High School (also known as the Frostproof City Hall) is a historic school in Frostproof, Florida. It is located at 111 West 1st Street. On November 13, 1997, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Old Frostproof High School Wikipedia page
Old Haines City National Guard Armory
"The Old Haines City National Guard Armory (also known as the Community Center of Northeast Polk County, Inc.) is a historic site in Haines City, Florida. It is located at 226 South 6th Street. On March 2, 1994, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Old Haines City National Guard Armory Wikipedia page
Old Lakeland High School
"The Old Lakeland High School (also known as the Polk Opportunity Center) is a historic school in Lakeland, Florida. It is located at 400 North Florida Avenue. On September 30, 1993, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Over the years the building has housed several different schools including the Polk Opportunity Center and Lakeland Middle Academy. Lakeland Middle Academy was renamed Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in 1999, to honor the passing of former Florida governor Lawton Chiles -- himself an alumnus of Lakeland High School."
- From Old Lakeland High School Wikipedia page
Old Polk County Courthouse
"The Old Polk County Courthouse (also known as the Imperial Polk County Courthouse) (constructed in 1908-09) is a historic courthouse in Bartow, Florida, located at 100 East Main Street. It was designed by noted architect Edward Columbus Hosford. On August 7, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Polk County Historical Museum is located in the courthouse"
- From Old Polk County Courthouse Wikipedia page
Polk Hotel
"The Polk Hotel (also known as the Palm Crest Hotel or the Landmark Baptist College) is a historic hotel in Haines City, Florida. It is located at 800-810 Hinson Avenue. On March 17, 1994, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Polk Hotel Wikipedia page
Polk Theatre
"The Polk Theatre in Lakeland, Florida is a historic theater located at 121 South Florida Avenue. The 1,400 seat theatre was built in 1928 after the local business "boom" of the town had ended and despite the fact that the population was only 15,000 inhabitants. In 1982, a group of concerned citizens banded together to save the theatre from being raised due to low attendance. Local citizens formed a non-profit group, borrowed money, secured a grant from the state, and purchased the theatre for $300,000. The Theatre has a mezzanine, a high balcony, a permanent backdrop of a "Venetian piazza," an orchestral pit, high twinkling stars, a cloud-covered ceiling, and terrazo floor. The air-conditioning system (the first in the county) was a pump that used artesian well water to chill the building."
- From Polk Theatre Wikipedia page
Pope Avenue Historic District
"The Pope Avenue Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on December 7, 2001) located in Winter Haven, Florida. The district is bounded roughly by Avenue A Northwest, Pope Avenue Northwest, 6th and 7th Streets Northwest. It contains 29 historic buildings."
- From Pope Avenue Historic District Wikipedia page
Roosevelt School
"The Roosevelt School (also known as the Roosevelt Academy) is a historic school in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 115 East Street. On March 29, 2001, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Roosevelt School Wikipedia page
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
"St. Mark's Episcopal Church, located at 102 North 9th Street in Haines City, Florida is an historic Carpenter Gothic church. On March 17, 1994, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From St. Mark's Episcopal Church Wikipedia page
South Bartow Residential District
"The Bartow Downtown Commercial District (also known as the Old Polk County Courthouse) is a historic district in central Bartow, Florida. Composed of an area bounded by Floral and 1st Avenues and Main and Vine Streets, the district includes 204 contributing properties. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993."
- From South Bartow Residential District Wikipedia page
South Florida Military College
"The South Florida Military College is a historic site in Bartow, Florida, United States. It is located at 1100 South Broadway. On July 24, 1972, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The college was eventually merged with the University of Florida."
- From South Florida Military College Wikipedia page
South Lake Morton Historic District
"The South Lake Morton Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on November 20, 1985) located in Lakeland, Florida. The district is bounded by Lake Morton Drive and Palmetto Street, Ingraham Avenue, Johnson Avenue, McDonald Street, Belmar Street, and Tennessee Avenue. It contains 557 historic buildings."
- From South Lake Morton Historic District Wikipedia page
John J. Swearingen House
"The John J. Swearingen House (also known as the R.H. Langford House) is a historic home in Bartow, Florida. It is located at 690 East Church Street. On May 13, 1982, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From John J. Swearingen House Wikipedia page
G. V. Tillman House
"The G. V. Tillman House is a historic home in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 301 East Sessoms Avenue. On August 31, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From G. V. Tillman House Wikipedia page
Winston School
"The Winston School (also known as a Strawberry School) is a historic school in Lakeland, Florida. It is located at 3415 Swindell Road. On December 20, 2001, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Winston School Wikipedia page
Winter Haven Heights Historic Residential District
"The Winter Haven Heights Historic Residential District (also known as Winter Haven Heights Historic District) is a U.S. historic district in Winter Haven, Florida. It is roughly bounded by Lake Martha, 2nd Street Northeast, 5th Street Northeast, and Avenue A Northeast, encompasses approximately 450 acres (1.8 km2), and contains 147 historic buildings. On June 15, 2000, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Winter Haven Heights Historic Residential District Wikipedia page
Woman's Club of Winter Haven
"The Woman's Club of Winter Haven (also known as the Women's Civic League of Winter Haven and Vicinity Clubhouse) is a historic woman's club in Winter Haven, Florida. It is located at 660 Pope Avenue, Northwest. On August 10, 1998, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."
- From Woman's Club of Winter Haven Wikipedia page
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