With temperatures cooling and leaves dropping, we can’t help but fall back into the Lakeland Public Library’s photo archives for pictures from past autumns.
Do you remember the Munn Park fountain?
Photo via Lakeland Public Library
In November 1961, the Downtown Lakeland Association dedicated the “dancing waters” fountain in Munn Park. The fountain entertained viewers until the 1980s, when it was demolished for a park renovation.
Before Publix was synonymous with Lakeland, its roots were in Winter Haven.
Photo via Lakeland Public Library
Air conditioning, automatic doors, music — the first full Publix Super Market had all of these modern amenities when it opened in November 1940. Find the building in Winter Haven at 197 W. Central Ave., where you can now do some shopping of a different kind.
The Carpenters’ Home housed up to 370 residents at its busiest.
Photo via Lakeland Public Library
In October 1928, the Carpenters’ Home was dedicated for retired members of the International Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners to live in. After closing in 1976, it became Carpenters’ Home Church, and now it’s home to Lake Gibson Village retirement home.
The Lakeland Tourist Club held its meetings in what’s now known as the Magnolia Building on Lake Mirror.
Photo via Lakeland Public Library
Snowbirds are nothing new in Lakeland — just look at this group photo of the Lakeland Tourist Club from 1923. Seasonal residents would flock to Swan City from the fall through the spring, and the club peaked at 1,625 members in 1927.
Seven dwarves, a princess, and a witch walk into a bar...
Photo via Lakeland Public Library
“Wicked” and “KPop Demon Hunters” were the biggest Halloween costume trends of 2025. Back in the 1990s, Lakelanders kept it classic by dressing as Snow White characters for spooky season fun downtown.
The hotel was originally called “The Florida” — they got very creative with the second name.
Photo via Lakeland Public Library
Fall was a popular time to open a downtown hotel, with the Terrace opening in October 1925 and the New Florida opening in September 1926. The latter didn’t last very long, and it closed soon after due to the Great Depression. After changing hands many times over the years, the building is now the Lake Mirror Tower Apartments.
