What makes a property historic?

Key historic districts

• Biltmore Cumberland | This district alone contains 200+ historic buildings and is close to Lakes Hollingsworth and Bonny.
• Dixieland | This 160-acre neighborhood serves as the heart of the city with its central location, while maintaining a whimsical feel thanks to its cobblestone roads, oak trees, and walkable paths.
• Lake Morton | Hailed as one of Lakeland’s oldest neighborhoods, East and South Lake Morton are best known for being the home to our city’s treasured swans, ducks, and blue herons — just to name a few.

Notable historic homes

• Lakeland Music Club | Tuesday, March 12 | 10-11:30 a.m. | United Women’s Club of Lakeland Clubhouse, 1515 Williamsburg Sq., Lakeland | Free | Mingle with other music enthusiasts, then enjoy a performance by the Florida Southern College Singers.
• Full STEAM Ahead | Tuesday, March 12-Friday, March 15 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Children and family members can take part in new science, technology, engineering, arts, or math activities each day.
• Community Talent Show | Tuesday, March 12 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium, Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $20 | United Way of Central Florida’s inaugural talent show fundraiser will feature local acts + lip-syncing community leaders.

• Chair Yoga for Beginners | Wednesday, March 13 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Take a seat for this flow designed to improve flexibility, balance, and range of motion.

• City of Lakeland Water Utilities: Water Purity Experiment | Thursday, March 14 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Peterson Park Pavilion, 3700 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Kids can learn about the importance of clean water with a hands-on experience.
• Trivia Thursdays | Thursday, March 14 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Test your knowledge with themed and general trivia.

• Florida legislators have set a $117.5 billion state budget for the next fiscal year. Line items include allocations for Polk State College’s new campus, PCPS entrepreneurship education programs, infrastructure improvements, and more. It’s now up for final approval. (The Ledger)

• $21 million. That’s how much the Polk Regional Water Cooperative has set aside for right-of-way easements as it seeks to build a 61-mile pipeline. The pipes will connect new wells + water treatment plants to existing utilities to supply more drinking water to Polk residents. (The Ledger)

• Polk County school buses will be equipped with ReaXium monitoring software after unanimous approval from the school board. The program will cost $1.5 million+ over the first three years to track routes and ridership — it could be fully up and running by next school year. (The Ledger)

• Kerry Falwell, CEO of the Florida Children’s Museum, was named a 2024 BusinessWoman of the Year honoree by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Read her Q+A about her drive to succeed and goals for the Polk Plays initiative.

• Reservations are now open for Easter brunch at the Terrace Grille on Sunday, March 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring a kids’ egg hunt. Nineteen61 is also hosting an Easter special from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a buffet and chocolate station.

• Grab your next page-turner and head to Pressed for April and May’s book clubs. Purchase your book from Pressed and sign up online to join the conversation on select Thursday nights, 6-7 p.m.

• Drum roll, please… Our sister newsletter in Charlotte, NC will launch on Monday, March 18. From the latest news about developments and restaurants to fun events around town, we’re covering everything you need to know about Queen City. Just like this newsletter, it’s 100% free, 100% local, and 100% informative. Subscribe today.

• Good health starts with being proactive. If you’re on the hunt for a new primary care provider for you or your family, check out Lakeland Regional Health’s 340+ providers in more than 40 specialties and 20 locations. Browse physicians + schedule an appointment.*

• Pressed Books & Coffee and Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro | Located in the historic Studebaker building, Pressed has made a name for itself as more than just a bookstore through its unique coffee and tea creations. Black & Brew boasts three distinct locations around Swan City and is well known for its seasonal beverage and food menus.
• Concord Coffee and Andrew’s Coffee | With its locally roasted beans, Concord Coffee’s Dixieland cafe provides a great sit-down spot. Andrew’s Coffee is ideal for when you need a quick + convenient drive-thru caffeine fix, but don’t forget about its new patio.