| Historic Landmarks |
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| The City of Lakeland has a number of historic landmarks that have been recognized locally and by the National Register of Historic Places. Since these historic structures are not located within Historic Districts, they are recognized individually as 'historic landmarks.' |
Carpenters Home Entrance Arch, I-4 and Carpenters Way (c. 1926) |
| This gateway arch was designed by Rubish & Hunter Architects and constructed in 1926 to provide a landscape entry arch for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Retirement Center. The ornate twin tower entrance archway represents a novel approach using the Spanish influenced style of architecture prevalent in Boom Era Florida. The archway contributes to the importance of the Carpenters Home Retirement Center, which was the first large retirement home of significance built by an organization for its retired members. (Landmark status 8/7/90) |
Florida Southern College (Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings), 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive |
| The "Child of the Sun" collection is the largest one-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. Twelve structures were built beginning in 1938. Wright described the pattern of the West Campus as "the cultural value of organic building well suited to time, purpose and place." Self-guided walking tour brochures are available on the campus. (Landmark status 1983) |
Henley Field Ball Park, 1125 North Florida Avenue (c. 1925 and c. 1927) |
| This was the first municipal ballpark in the City. It was home to major and minor league baseball teams and continues to be home for the Florida Southern College team as well as other local amateur teams. Dr. Clare Henley was the driving force behind the expansion of baseball in Lakeland in the 1920’s and 1930’s. This field was renamed after him in 1942. Mediterranean Revival features are evident in the Grandstand which was constructed in 1925 and became the spring training home for the Cleveland Indians, and later the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers. The decorative concrete wall was constructed in 1927 and plays a prominent role in this historic site. It not only defines the space but also provides a sense of what this park was like during the 1920’s. (Landmark status 5/23/97) |
Wilson/English Residence, 415 South Kentucky Avenue (c. 1909) |
| The Wilson/English Residence is one of only two remaining frame residential structures within downtown Lakeland. Built in 1909, this home reflects aspects of the late Victorian period which was moving away from the intricate and ornate detailing of typical Victorian architecture. Steep gables and a wide veranda are evident. The home was built for William and Marguerite Tyler who was the daughter of W. K. Jackson, an early Lakeland pioneer. (Landmark status 5/15/2000) |
Florida Holiness Campground – Haselton Building, 3335 South Florida Avenue & Morrison Building, 202 Hillsboro Avenue (c. 1929 and c. 1932) |
| The Haselton Building (c. 1929) and the Morrison Building (c. 1932) were both built as simple frame vernacular structures intended to serve as dormitories for interdenominational religious "camp meetings" held during the winter months. Perhaps the greatest significance of these two frame vernacular buildings is that they represent a portion of the unique religious history of Lakeland. The purpose of these meetings was and still is for the religious experience one may have while in attendance at these camp meetings. (Landmark status 5/15/2000) |
John F. Cox Grammar School, 1005 N. Massachusetts Avenue (c. 1928) |
| This building is typical of the traditional school of architecture of the Florida Boom Time era of the 1920’s. A Romanesque Revival influence is seen in this masonry vernacular building of buff colored brick. Mr. Cox, a state legislator and mayor of Lakeland, was also a retailer and real estate developer who was prominent with the Lakeland Real Estate Board and Chamber of Commerce. On February 14, 2001 the Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine opened a free clinic for working residents without medical insurance in this newly renovated building. (Landmark status 7/22/99) |
Cleveland Court School, 328 E. Edgewood Drive (c. 1929) |
| This masonry vernacular building of variegated red brick exhibits Romanesque Revival architectural features. The gabled parapet and portico and arched windows at the entry are examples of this architectural style. In 1924 a group of financiers came to Lakeland, due in part to the spring training grounds for the Cleveland Indians. They became involved with land development, which began south of Lake Hollingsworth, and construction of the school. However, the Florida Boom Times began to wane and development slowed sharply. By the time the school was completed, student enrollment was not what had been anticipated. The school only operated for one year and then was closed until the mid 1930’s when it reopened as a vocational school. By 1947 it again became an elementary school which is still in existence today. (Landmark status 7/22/99) |
Central Avenue School, 604 S. Central Avenue (c. 1926) |
| This masonry vernacular building which utilizes brick and cast stone as elements of detail, is an example of the Florida Boom Time Era of the 1920’s. This school demonstrates the widespread growth Lakeland experienced in the 1920’s. Citizens passed many bond issues to provide the needed new public services. The school now houses an adult high school program. Despite damage from a tornado in 1999, it retains much of its original architectural character. (Landmark status 7/22/99) |
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy (Lakeland High School) 400 N. Florida Avenue (c. 1927) |
| This building, which represents Collegiate Gothic architectural styling, has maintained its original architectural integrity. The building is in the shape of an "H" and consists of three stories and a basement. The school contributes to the sense of historical development in Lakeland due to its location, design, materials and workmanship. The building, which was abandoned for several years, was renovated in 1995 and became Lakeland Middle Academy. The name was changed in 1999 in honor of the late governor, Lawton Chiles, and in recognition of his attendance as a high school student here. (Landmark status 9/30/93) |
Bethel Baptist Church at Socrum, 3125 Socrum Loop Road North (c. 1929) |
| Built in 1929, this Collegiate Gothic style building demonstrates fine examples of intricate brick detailing with cast stone accents, leaded glass windows, beautiful wood doors and pitched metal roof. The church graveyard is located to the north and has plots that date back to pre-Civil War. |
Beulah Baptist Church, 919 North Ohio Avenue (c. 1926) |
| This Mediterranean Revival style church utilizes stucco on terra cotta block. It also incorporates decorative tile and cast stonework in the stucco finish. Many prominent leaders of the northwest community have been a part of this church’s congregation. |
Central Church of the Nazarene, 412 N. Massachusetts Avenue (c. 1926) |
| This masonry Collegiate Gothic style church was built in 1926. It exhibits distinctive brick detailing at the windows and parapet walls and leaded glass pointed arch head windows. Because of its location, it has always served as an important and attractive part of Lakeland’s gateway to downtown. |
Southside Cleaners, 901 South Florida Avenue (c. 1954) |
Southside Cleaners and its sign represent architecture of the Post World War II period evident in Lakeland. Architecturally the building is a simple Mid-Century Modern structure with a horizontal, streamlined appearance referencing the speed and fluidity of early American car culture. Key elements include a flat, curvilinear, projecting roof, fixed-metal sash storefront and an Ashlar and stucco veneer. However, the most prominent architectural element is the covered drive-thru, which was considered novel and innovative when the building was first constructed.
The other major key element of the Southside property is the sign dating from 1962. The sign with its neon starburst and logo in a 1950s era modern casual script is a prime example of the Googie style. Googie is a subset of the mid-century modern and is largely defined by a particular style of roadside commercial architecture and signage dating from the late 1940s to the mid 1960s. The name Googie comes from a distinctive coffee shop in California designed by architect John Lautner in 1949. The core elements of the style, also referred to a populuxe or doo-wop, emphasize motion and energy and are typically expressed through geometric elements such as starbursts, boomerangs, saucers and parabolas. (Landmark status 2/15/08)
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