
Ancestry.com
Start your family history search here at the library! Ancestry.com offers free access to all library patrons. (In library only)
Mon - Thurs. - 9 am - 7 pm
Fri - Sat: 9 am - 5 pm
Sun: 1:30 pm - 5 pm
Lakeland History Room Librarian Supervisor: LuAnn Mims
Ph: 863.834.4269
Email: luann.mims@lakelandgov.net
Image from the Greetings from Lakeland postcard collection
Start your family history search here at the library! Ancestry.com offers free access to all library patrons. (In library only)
Explore Lakeland’s History through Photos!
Postcards have been in use in this country for more than 100 years. Picture postcards were published in Europe as early as the 1870s, and illustrated advertising postcards appeared in the U.S. at about the same time. However, these were known as "souvenir" or "correspondence" cards, as only the government was allowed to use the word "postcard" on the back of the postcard. Private publishers were not permitted to use the word "postcard" on the back of the postcard until the end of 1901. Only the address could appear on the back of the postcard, and any messages had to appear on the front of the postcard. It was not until March 1, 1907 that postcards with divided backs were permitted. The address was written on the right side of the postcard and any message would be written on the left.
One of the largest and most significant collections in Special Collections unit of the Lakeland Public Library is the Lakeland Postcard Collection. It includes more than 900 postcards (including duplicates) documenting the history and development of the city from the early 1900s to the present. Postcards often are the only source for determining what a building or area of the city looked like 50, 75 or even 100 years ago. This collection includes postcards depicting a wide variety of subject matter, ranging from public buildings, to churches, to streetscapes and more. The earliest postcards date to the beginning of the twentieth century. Many were used and later donated to the library and include interesting and/or amusing comments from the sender.
Our story begins with you...what better way to tell the many stories of Lakeland and its history, than visually by showcasing highlights from our Digital Collection through Flickr.
Check out our featured album:
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." -- Benjamin Franklin
Enjoy this photographic album of our area's current and former schools and campuses.
Discover more about Lakeland’s History through Stories!
Dating back to the 1930s, the Lakeland newspaper noted a one-eyed alligator dubbed “One-Eyed Joe” in and around Lake Mirror. By the 1970s, this gator, or possibly another one-eyed alligator – approximately 11- foot long, 400 pounds, would be known as Blinky. He became a legend in the downtown as he frequently walked Main Street and along the promenade. He became a tourist attraction with people clamoring to have their photograph taken with him. If he got too far out of his environment, police or citizens would herd him back towards the water.
Blinky served as the town’s unofficial mascot due to his somewhat friendly demeanor. He allowed humans to pet his head, and rub his back, much like you would a puppy. Children and adults would flock to feed him anything from popcorn, to marshmallows, to table scraps even though it was against the law to feed alligators. Some people even dared to let Blinky give them a kiss. One such photograph appeared in the local newspaper lead to his downfall.
Standing at the entry archway of Lakeland’s downtown city park we know as Munn Park is a large metal and brick entry way was constructed in 1990 as part of a revitalization effort. This park, in the core of Lakeland’s business district, was established in 1884 and shares over 100 years of our local history. Through those years many changes have occurred to bring us this community space of today.
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