Recently ranked as one of the Top 20 Most Beautiful Campuses, Florida Southern College (FSC) has continued to gain notoriety as the world’s largest concentration of structures designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959).
The History...Or CliffNotes history
FSC was originally founded as a Methodist seminary in1852. Eventually, the college relocated from Orlando to Lakeland in 1921 on a 67-acre former citrus grove. Years later in the late ’20s, the school experienced a steady decrease in enrollment, due to the devastating socio-economic impact of the era. But, the college being resilient as usual, FSC President, Dr. Ludd Spivey (1925-1957), developed a plan to attract students while heightening the college’s recognition nationally. Dr. Spivey resolved that architectural development was the key to revolutionizing FSC’s campus. Way to go Dr. Spivey.
The Architecture
Wright’s style of “organic architecture” weaves the buildings he designed for FSC naturally into the landscape situated on a geometric grid. Out of the 18 designs drafted by Wright over 20-years for FSC, 13 of them were built. Wright’s commission with the college is the longest and largest in his career and is the only project he designed for a college campus. Here are some of his notable structures across the campus to check out the next time you’re in Mocs Country:
The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel
Almost immediately after his visit, Wright began drafting his designs with the first building, The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel – c.1938. The chapel was the first college chapel in the nation crafted in a modern design fitted with vaulted ceilings, textile blocks, and a 65 ft.bell tower.
E.T. Roux Library
The E.T. Roux Library was the second building to be completed and was built during the height of WWII. Due to labor and material shortages, the construction crew was composed of mostly female students. If you find yourself feeling extraterrestrial after visiting this library, you can check out the novel E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial from the library here – We had to.
Water Dome
The Water Dome is the largest water structure designed by Wright in the world creating a 45-foot spouted dome. The dome was only partially completed as a reflecting pool at the time due to “technological limitations”, but was later fully developed via a restoration project. #FunFact: FSC seniors participate annually in the Water Dome Splash to celebrate the Spring commencement ceremony.
Lucius Pond Ordway Building
The building was created by Wright as an Industrial Arts building housing departments like Political Science and History as well as several clubs. The Fletcher Theater is centrally located in the Ordway building – the only theatre-in-the-round ever designed by Wright.
Usonian House
The Usonian House took 74-years to complete from 1939 to 2013. The house was originally designed to be a part of the faculty housing system and now functions as a part of the Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center. The carefully aligned shapes of the building contrasting with the stained glass pieces gives the building a unique yet cohesive aesthetic that connects it to Wright’s other campus structures. Step into Wright’s architectural world and take a virtual tour of FSC’s campus here - no car required.
FSC Fast Facts
- FSC’s mascot is the Mocassin, lovingly referred to as “Mocsie”.
- FSC was awarded National Historic Landmark status in 2012 and is one of Wright’s 28 projects listed as National Historic Landmarks.
- FSC ranked among the Top 10 for Best Regional Universities, Undergraduate Teaching, and Most Innovative.
- Florida Southern College is the oldest private college in the Sunshine State since its founding in the late 1800s.
- Notable alumni include Matt Joyce, Lee Janzen, Harry Goode, Larry Kirkwood, Kent McKinley, Edna Lockett, and more.
- 52 undergraduate majors are offered at FSC.
- The campus is 113-acres and is home to 70 structures.
- FSC currently has about 26,000 alumni globally.
- The Mocassins compete in the NCAA Division II’s Sunshine State Conference representing 19 varsity sports teams + intercollegiate waterski.
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