The Lakeland City Directories are published by R. L. Polk & Co., Jacksonville, Florida. The bound volumes, located in the Lakeland Room, include 1913, 1915-16, 1921, 1922-23, 1924-28, 1931, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1954-66, 1968- . Microfilm copies of City Directories fo rthe years 1915-1987 are alos housed in Special Collections. The most recent volume is kept at the Reference Desk.
Two early directories contain listings for other cities in Polk County. The 1925 directory includes listings for Auburndale, Babson Park, Bartow, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Lake Wales, Mulberry, and Winter Haven. The 1928 directory also includes Bradley, Brewster, Davenport, Eaton Park, Griffin, Galloway, Highland City, Homeland, Kathleen, Loughman, Medulla, Morris, Nichols, and Polk City along with the other cities. Microfilm copies of Bartow City Directories 1955-60 are also housed in Special Colections.
The early directories have information about government agencies, schools, churches, newspapers, banks, and miscellaneous clubs and societies. They are divided into three groups: an alphabetical list of residents' names, listing of street addresses, and a buyer's guide to local businesses. All of the directories include only the area within city limits at that time, not the unincorporated area of Polk County.
The Polk County Telephone Directories are published by Verizon, formerly General Telephone (GTE) of Florida. The collection also includes a 1927 Telephone Directory from the Peninsular Telephone Co. (RG116)
The Cross Reference Directories for Polk County are published by Hill & Donnelly, Tampa, Florida. They are alphabetized by city, then street name, and address number. The resident's name and phone number are listed. The numeric section is organized by telephone exchange, then number. (1980-2003)
The Lakeland City Electric & Water cards are on microfilm. They are arranged alphabetically by street name and show dates on which service to a residence began and was terminated. The early records are hand written. The latest date is 1989.
Property Tax Information Cards - Tax appraisers field work sheets for the Lakeland City Limits from 1900 - 1960. These cards are on 10 microfilm reels, and the Reference Department has duplicate copies. Property is listed by the Section, Township, and Range:from 1-28-23 - 30-28-24. The microfilm is housed in Record Group 3000, Box 4a (Polk County Ephemera).
The Electric and Water and Property Tax Information cards are barely legible.
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