| History of Dixieland CRA PowerPoint Presentation (PDF file) |
“Dixieland” is a place name that originated in Lakeland in early 1907. It was the name of a subdivision that was platted by Lakeland citizens, John Patterson (physician and real estate investor), Edward Finney (builder), and John F. Cox (realtor and politician) in response to the growing need for housing. The original subdivision was east of South Florida Avenue, between Lake Morton and Lake Hollingsworth. It was expanded later on that same year, west of South Florida Avenue all the way to the shore of Lake Hunter. |
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| | Today, Dixieland is the name of the residential neighborhood that lies between West Walnut Street, South Florida Avenue, Belvedere and Ariana, and Harden/Sikes and the eastern shore of Lake Hunter. It includes a large portion of the commercial properties along both the east and west sides of South Florida Avenue. A more detailed map can be seen on the City of Lakeland’s website under the Community Development/Planning/Historic Preservation page. Click here for map. Dixieland was designated as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Districts in 1994.
There is also an area referred to as the Dixieland Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). This includes properties with commercial zoning along South Florida Avenue from West Walnut Street to Lenox Street. Again, a detailed map of this area can be located on the City’s website under Community Development/Community Redevelopment Areas. Click here for map. The Dixieland CRA is an area that was identified for intensive planning and development activities intended to invigorate the existing businesses, attract new businesses and investment, and provide a neighborhood commercial center for the surrounding neighborhoods. The Dixieland CRA was created by the City of Lakeland in 2001. |
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