Plus, campus building named for local family
 
09.28.2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER
6AM City In-house

Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.
 

👻 Historic house to host Halloween tours

The Wonder House — Polk County’s historic castle
Add a heading (30)
Visit the Wonder House to kick off fall festivities. | Photo via @merineitsi
Nestled on two acres of land in Bartow is the Wonder House, a four-story stone and steel construction built by Conrad Schuck and his nine children in the 1920s.

Conrad, a contractor and quarry dealer living in Pittsburgh, packed up his family and moved to sunny Bartow in the 1920s after doctors told him that he didn’t have much time left to live.

Building the Wonder House

Inspired to leave a legacy, Conrad began building the home of his dreams, using his background in construction and geology to his advantage.

A shortage of good wood in the 1920s and a desire to use the land he was cultivating led to Conrad making his own mixture using concrete, steel rails, and scrap metal. To this day, the concrete mixture he made has not cracked.

Here are some of our favorite fun facts regarding the mysterious + mystical house on Mann Road:
  • The Wonder House’s walls are 18 inches thick in some places.
  • Conrad was known for collecting unique trinkets and oddities and displaying them proudly — snakes in jars, taxidermy, and a coffin were among his prized possessions.
  • Conrad’s children did most of the construction by hand.
Despite what doctors said, Conrad lived another 40 years. He and his family never actually moved into the home.

An exterior shot of the Wonder House mansion.

Tours of the Wonder House help support its ongoing restorations.

|

Photo by @merineitsi

The Wonder House today

Fast forward a few decades to meet the current owners, Drew and Krislin, who first visited the house on their second date. The pair is still restoring the 20-room mansion to Conrad’s original vision.

Drew and Krislin host tours of the home. Since they receive no local, state, or government funding for the renovation, their efforts to restore it to its original glory are privately funded, in part by Halloween and Christmas tours.

Tour the house for yourself

Halloween season tours kick off on Sunday, Oct. 1. Consider booking a tour to see the fabled home for yourself. Pro tip: Tours are cash-only.
Get tickets
Orlando International Airport
 
Events
Thursday, Sept. 28
  • BSP Trivia Night: Disney Theme | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free entry | Test your knowledge of the wonderful world of Disney while sipping on discounted drinks in the Rooftop Bar.
  • Ladies Night | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Downtown Winter Haven, 400 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven | $10 | It’s Ladies Night and the feeling’s right — wear your grooviest outfit and enjoy an evening of shopping and dining.
Friday, Sept. 29
  • Harvest Holler Corn Maze | Friday, Sept. 29-Sunday, Oct. 1 | Times vary | Harvest Holler Corn Maze, 950 Tavares Rd., Polk City | $12-$15 | Explore a corn maze and pumpkin patch, or take a hayride through this fall farm.
  • Gary Love Acoustic Duo & Best Dressed Eggs | Friday, Sept. 29 | 5-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Hang out with live music and dinner from the Best Dressed Eggs food truck.
Saturday, Sept. 30
  • Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 210 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
  • Leading Edge Take Heart 5K | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 7:30-10:30 a.m. | Lake Hollingsworth Park, 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | $50 | Run this race to raise funds for a primary school in rural Kenya.
  • Homebrews For Hope — A Charity Beer Tasting Event | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 12-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | $20 | Taste beers by local brewers and get a free pint from Swan Brewing — proceeds benefit local causes.
Sunday, Oct.1
  • All Hallows Eve Exhibition | Sunday, Oct. 1 | 6-8 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Local artists will display their creepiest art through Nov. 6, starting with this reception.
Saturday, Oct. 7
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Publix
 
Community

Experience all there is to C with MCO’s new visitor pass program
inside look at orlando international airport's Summer House
Summer House is one of the dozens of Terminal C restaurants + shops to get excited about. | Photo provided by Orlando International Airport
Love (or curious to explore) Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C? Lakelanders can now enjoy Terminal C’s post-security amenities — even if you don’t have travel plans.

The new ExperienceMCO Visitor Pass program allows TSA-approved guests to eat, shop, plane-spot, experience immersive art + even see loved ones at the gate.

Here’s how it works:
  1. Apply online
  2. Get TSA’s approval
  3. Show your pass at the TSA Checkpoint
The pass is valid from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily (last entry at 4 p.m.).
C details + apply
News Notes
Number
  • $1 billion. That’s how much Polk County Planning and Development Director John Bohde said is going towards infrastructure and capital improvement projects over the next five years. The projects will aim to address Polk County + Central Florida’s booming population. (WTSP)
Civic
  • The City of Winter Haven finalized its fiscal year 2024 budget at $260 million. Line items include $59+ million for construction projects like the Winter Haven Recreation and Cultural Center, fire stations four and five, and the Lake Elbert Trail. Another $19.7 million is earmarked for transportation. (The Ledger)
Edu
  • Florida Polytechnic University’s research building will henceforth be known as the Barnett Applied Research Center. The naming pays homage to the family’s $10+ million in donations to the school.
Open
  • Jessie’s Gourmet Sandwich Cafe is celebrating its grand opening today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by the 1825 E. Edgewood Dr. eatery to order your first bite. If that gets you hungry, check out our list of other foodie spots we can’t wait to try.
Feel Good
Biz
  • Calling all small business owners. Vendor applications for Buena Market’s biggest market of the year are open until Saturday, Sept. 30. Apply online to sell your goods on Dec. 9 in downtown Lakeland.
Drink
  • Keel Farms released a special seasonal sip in partnership with another local name: Sir Henry’s Twisted Apple Cider. Try it at the tasting room for a limited time on draft or in bottles.
 
Civic

Start your October on a civic note

What you need to know about attending a Lakeland City Commission meeting
Interior of Lakeland City Hall Commission Chamber
Commissioners unanimously voted for the change. | Photo by the City of Lakeland
The next Lakeland City Commission meeting takes place on Monday, Oct. 2. Here’s everything you need to know about attending this one or future meetings, which are all open to the public.

When are they held?
Meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month at 9 a.m. Find the schedule for future meetings here.

Where do I park?
Use the city’s interactive online map to view different parking options.

Where’s the agenda?
You can preview topics of upcoming meetings (and find previous minutes) online.

How can I make a comment?
At the end of each meeting, audience members are given the opportunity to make comments.

In addition to attending in person, city commission meetings are streamed live on LakelandGov TV.
Share LALtoday
 

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_15}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_15}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
 
The Wrap
 
Rilee-Delgado-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Rilee
From the editor
With the weather finally starting to cool down, I’m hungry for a meal on one of Lakeland’s patios. Where is your favorite place to dine outdoors? Tell me about your favorite parklet, patio, or porch eatery.
Missed our previous newsletter?    
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Become a Member     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY