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65º | Mostly cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:21 a.m. | Sunset 5:50 p.m.
 

You’ve come to the Wright place

A brief history of Frank Lloyd Wright’s relationship with Florida Southern College
Annie Pfeiffer Chapel
Frank Lloyd Wright’s first design at Florida Southern College, the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, built in 1938. | Photo via Florida Memory
If you’ve spent any time in Lakeland, you’ve likely seen Florida Southern College’s campus. In 2020, the school was rated “Florida’s Most Beautiful Campus” by the Princeton Review, and the accolades don’t stop there. For over a decade, Florida Southern has been listed in The Princeton Review’s list of “The Best 389 Colleges,” which takes into account campus beauty and architectural heritage.

And for that, the college (and Lakeland) can thank one Mr. Frank Lloyd Wright.

Wright’s work, which covers 80 acres of the campus, prioritizes sustainability and harmonious environmental design, referred to as organic architecture. In his lifetime, Wright saw 12 of his 18 original designs come to fruition. The Usonian Faculty House, Wright’s thirteenth design, was posthumously built in 2013.

Photo of Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright inspecting his work at Florida Southern College, circa 1940 | Photo via Florida Memory

The plans Wright oversaw included Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, the Buckner Building (previously known as the Roux Library), the Polk County Science Building, the Watson-Fine Building, the Three Seminars (the L.A. Raulerson Building), the Esplanades, the Ordway Building, the Danforth Chapel, and the Water Dome.

So, how did an architectural legend make his way to Lakeland?

In 1938, Ludd M. Spivey, the college’s president, extended his vision for the school to the architect in the hopes that Wright could bring the dream to life. In his now-famous telegram, Spivey proposed a “great education temple,” and as they say, the rest is history.

Crews completing work on the Polk Science Building, circa 1950

Crews completing work on the Polk Science Building, circa 1950. | Photo via Florida Memory

In 1938, 70-year-old Wright visited the campus, an inoperative citrus field, and was surprised to find such a non-traditional Floridian landscape. The 80-ft hill beside Lake Hollingsworth, groves of citrus trees, and completely undeveloped campus inspired Wright to refer to the imagined design as “a child of the sun.” With that, the vision was born, and plans for the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel were presented soon after.

Learn more about how Wright impacted the campus and book a tour through the link below.
Wright on
Asked

How many of Frank Lloyd Wright’s projects are National Historic Landmarks?
A. 18
B. 28
C. 34
D. 42
Wright this way
 
Events
Wednesday, Jan. 10
  • MLK Week: Importance of Service | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 4-6 p.m. | Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center, 801 Ave. T NE, Winter Haven | Free | Commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with local service organizations.
  • Southeastern University Women’s Basketball vs Keiser University | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Furnace, 1000 Longfellow Blvd., Lakeland | $0-$7 | SEU’s women’s basketball is facing off against Keiser University — students, staff, and faculty can attend for free.
Thursday, Jan. 11
  • Conceiving the Highlands: The Hallam Family from Triumphs to Tragedy | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland History and Culture Center, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Attend this lecture to learn the story behind the Lakeland Highlands, including the Hallam family’s legacy.
  • Lakeland Food Truck Rally | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 6-9 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Head downtown for live music and bites from 15 local food trucks.
Friday, Jan. 12
  • Crafternoon | Friday, Jan. 12 | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Children ages 5+ and their grown-ups can drop in after school for arts and crafts — dress for a little mess.
  • Free Breastfeeding Support Group | Friday, Jan. 12, Friday, Jan. 19 | 9-10 a.m. | Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center, 650 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn breastfeeding tips from a lactation facilitator and connect with others at this weekly support group.
Saturday, Jan. 13
Sunday, Jan. 14
  • Goat Yoga on the Farm! | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, 6170 Robins Rd., Lakeland | $10-$25 | We’re not kidding around — try this beginner-friendly, 45-minute goat yoga class.
Events calendar here
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Active

5 ways to up your workouts
A Hoka sneaker angled to the side.
Protect your feet during high-impact exercise with thoughtfully designed HOKA sneakers. | Photo via Amazon
Focused on movement this month? Increase comfort and results with beloved gym staples.
Shop health + fitness finds
News Notes
Closed
  • Circle B Bar Reserve will temporarily close on Thursday, Jan. 18. Over 2,400 second-graders will take over the reserve for the annual Water, Wings and Wild Things Kids Festival. If you can’t wait for the reserve to reopen on Jan. 19, check out our trail guide for 12 other places to take a hike. (The Ledger)
Health
  • 50,000. That’s the estimated number of Polk County residents without health insurance. Many qualify for the Polk HealthCare Plan — a free program for residents at/below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Learn more about the program. (WFTS)
Eat
  • In case you missed it, Catapult launches its restaurant residency program this month — and now we know what’s on The Cultivated Pig’s menu. Look forward to items like grilled eggplant, smoked pastrami, and a rotating selection of desserts when the kitchen opens for lunch + dinner starting Jan. 17. (The Ledger)
Open
  • Load up the car (and the tater tots). Crave now has a drive-thru. Stop by 2250 Griffin Rd. during normal hours (11 a.m.-9 p.m.) for favorites like pulled chicken nachos and, of course, hot dogs.
Wellness
  • Challenge accepted. Lakeland Regional Health kicked off its fitness challenges at the Lakeland Family YMCA for the new year. Join the free 12-week program by registering online.
Civic
  • Stacy Butterfield — Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller — filed to run for re-election. If elected, it would be her fourth term in office. (The Ledger)
Art
  • The Polk Museum of Art has opened registration for its spring classes. Adults and teenagers (ages 15+) can take classes on a range of subjects — from art appreciation to photography. Register by Sunday, Jan. 21.
Biz
  • Lakeland is Our Business is taking vendor applications for its vendor market. Beginning on Saturday, Jan. 20, the market will take place indoors at COhatch on the third Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Apply to be a vendor.
Outdoors
  • Gatorland will host Exploration Station this Friday, Jan. 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Bonnet Springs Park. Bring the kids to the Nature Center Classroom to meet reptiles like an American alligator.
Try This
 
Answered

Where are you celebrating Dry January?
GreenWise Market POURS bar

The POURS bar at Publix GreenWise Market

|

Photo by @thelaltoday

Yesterday, we asked where our readers found the best mocktails.

We’re still gathering intel, but we’ll start by making a toast to the POURS section at Publix GreenWise Market where you can get bubbly kombucha on tap.

Got another suggestion? Let us know by tapping the button below.
We need (zero) proof
The Buy

The Buy 1.10.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A unique candle to bring fresh scents, light, and joy inside your home this winter.
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The Wrap
 
Jessalin Nagamoto.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Jessalin
From the editor
We are inching towards that later sunset time and I, for one, could really use the extra light.

Get your sunglasses ready for happy hour. Tuesday, Jan. 23 will be our first 6 p.m. sunset.
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