Lakeland History Room Lakeland Stories

Black History Month

Profile of woman on colorful circles background with text "Empowered Women"

Empowered Women of Lakeland

Lakeland's Historic Black Churches

Sepia-toned aerial view of Lake Beulah and Morehead with text above, "Reflections of the Morehead Community"

Reflections of the Morehead Community

Legend, Legacy & Lore Series: Tales of Lakeland

Click on each of the icons below to find out more about Lakeland's history

Blinky the Alligator Story Map

Royal Swans Story Map

Munn Park Story Map

Road to Lakeland Story Map

Virginia Avenue Story Map

Southgate Shopping Center Story Map

Park Trammell Library Story Map

Early Lakeland Hotels Story Map

Morrell Memorial Hospital Story Map

Lake Mirror Promenade Story Map

Origins of Lakeland Series

Black and white aerial view of Lake Mirror

Fort Meade native and Lakeland resident Dr. Canter Brown, Jr., is an award-winning historian of Polk County, Florida, and the South. View his eight-part "Origins of Lakeland" series through the links below.

Origins of Lakeland Series Story Maps:

Parts I and II: Origins of Lakeland series story map

Parts III and IV: Origins of Lakeland series story map

Parts V and VI: Origins of Lakeland series story map

Parts VII and VIII: Origins of Lakeland series story map

Lovely Lakes of Lakeland

Lovely Lakes of Lakeland with aerial postcard view of Lakeland

Lovely Lakes of Lakeland

Aviation in Lakeland

Ruth Elder carrying basket of food beside her American Girl airplane with text "Ruth Elder: American Girl"

Ruth Elder: American Girl

A close-up view of the Lakeland Municipal Airport terminal after the completion of the new air traffic control tower in 1980

Lakeland Linder International Airport Evolution

Tenth Judicial Circuit Historical Society

Exterior view of the old Polk County Courthouse in Bartow, Florida with reflecting pool

Tenth Judicial Circuit Historical Society

Veteran's Memorial Tour at Oakhill Burial Park

Stone wall entrance gate with grassy lawn and tall oak trees in the background at Oak Hill Burial Park with text Veteran's Memorial Tour

Veteran's Memorial Tour at Oak Hill Burial Park

Historic Women

Autographed black and white headshot of Frances Langford with text Frances Langford

Frances Langford

Profile of woman on colorful circles background with text "Empowered Women"

Empowered Women of Lakeland

Ruth Elder carrying basket of food beside her American Girl airplane with text "Ruth Elder: American Girl"

Ruth Elder: American Girl

Collage of eleven photos featuring (L-R, top to bottom): Lillian Derieux Hetherington, Sarah Wheeler, Geneva Hodges Wilson, Carrie Roberts Oldham, Winifred "Peggy" Cook Brown, Serena Bailey Ross, Kate Winn Carver, Tereather "Tee" Boykins White, Florence "Fonchen" Usher Lord, Lois Cowles Harrison, and Lois Quinn Searl with text "Leading Ladies of Lakeland"

Leading Ladies of Lakeland