05.14.2024

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92º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. | Sunset 8:10 p.m.

These districts will go down in history

Lakeland’s charm: Historic districts in the Swan City

Cloudy sky over downtown Lakeland, FL streets and businesses

You’ll find a combination of historic buildings and new businesses in the Munn Park district. | Photo by @nicolefeller_

One of our favorite bits of Lakeland is the city’s historic charm. Come along with us for a virtual tour through Lakeland’s seven districts on the National Register of Historic Places.

Munn Park

Munn Park has been around longer than Lakeland itself, being labeled as a “public square” a year before the city’s incorporation in 1885. The area served as the backdrop for Lakeland’s bustling rail yard. Today, city officials are planning to revitalize the park at the center of the historic district.

East Lake Morton + South Lake Morton

These neighboring districts founded in the early 1900s now showcase historic bungalow and Mediterranean-style homes, as well as Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture. Lakelanders and royal swans alike flocked to this area — you can’t beat those lakeside views.

Beacon Hill

This district also included the Alta Vista community when it achieved historic status in the 1990s. It’s known as the most eclectic historic district with at least 14 architectural styles. During the 1920s land boom, a single lot of land was $600-$4,500. Can we get in on that deal, please?

Biltmore Cumberland

East of downtown, this district contains two neighborhoods and 200+ historical buildings. The area, developed in the 1920s, is now known for its bungalow homes and schools like Lakeland High School + Florida Southern College.

Lake Hunter Terrace

West of Lake Hunter, this district was established during the mid to late-1940s and features many homes built in the modern masonry vernacular style that was popularized after World War II. It’s considered the first modern development to achieve historic status in Lakeland.

Dixieland

As homes popped up here from the 1920s to 1940s, Dixieland was dubbed a “fashionable suburb” by the local papers. The district was deemed historic in 1994. Today, don’t miss out on local favorite businesses, from bakeries and coffee shops to furniture design and antique stores.

Asked

Which historic district would you live in?

A. Beacon Hill
B. Biltmore Cumberland
C. Dixieland
D. East or South Lake Morton
E. Lake Hunter Terrace
F. Munn Park

Determine your district

Events

Tuesday, May 14

Silver Star Game Day | Tuesday, May 14 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Free | Older adults can enjoy a morning of fun, fellowship, and classic games at this weekly get-together.
Pub Run, Music Bingo & SB&B | Tuesday, May 14 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Join Fleet Feet’s weekly pub run, then stay + play live music bingo while enjoying bites from SB&B food truck.

Wednesday, May 15

Connect Polk Broadband Tour | Wednesday, May 15 | 6 p.m. | Rhema Word of Faith International, 3330 Skyview Dr., Lakeland | Free | Learn information about fiber broadband deployments, timelines, and service offerings in a town hall-style Q&A session.
“Radium Girls” | Wednesday, May 15-Thursday, May 16 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $15 | See this fast-paced play based on a true story from New Jersey in 1926.

Thursday, May 16

Farm Yard Yoga | Thursday, May 16 | 6-8 p.m. | Keel & Curley Winery, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $25 | Meet adoptable pigs while working through a guided yoga practice — all proceeds go to Rescue Pets of Florida.
The Aquarian Market | Thursday, May 16 | 6-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Shop vegan food + goods at the market’s farewell event.

Tuesday, May 21

How Computers + Smart Phone Screens Can Impact Our Eyes | Tuesday, May 21 | 6 p.m. | Watson Clinic Main Library, 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn how to protect your eyes from damage caused by computer and smart phone screens from optometry specialist Dr. Elizabeth George.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

City officials met yesterday for the second day of the Strategic Planning Retreat. Commissioners covered broad ideas for the city’s future, including development, recreation, safety, and infrastructure. Catch up on yesterday’s discussion and watch today’s session starting at 8 a.m.

Arts

Artist Alex Lanier was the big winner at this weekend’s Mayfaire by-the-Lake festival, earning the Best in Show award for his digital art. Lanier is no stranger to Mayfaire — he was featured as the poster artist last year. (LkldNow)

Real Estate

Polk County’s median home listing price was $349,000 in April, coming in at a median price of $200 per sqft. As of last month, Lakeland was classified as a “seller’s market” — see what other trends affected the local real estate scene this spring. (The Ledger)

Biz

Lakeside Village has a new look. Continental Realty Corporation unveiled a rebrand after purchasing the shopping center last year for $78 million. More events + renovations are also in the pipeline, including exterior painting and roof replacements.

Opening

Jude Coffee, known for its pop-up events, is opening a cafe and graphic design studio at 1216 S. Florida Ave. in Dixieland. Visit the soft opening this Saturday, May 18, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. before next month’s grand opening.

Tech

PCPS school buses will be equipped with cameras next year to keep students safe. A new state law will allow cameras to record video of drivers who illegally pass stopped buses — law enforcement will also have access to their license plate numbers. (Fox 13 News)

Biz

The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is adding resources to support the growing number of local Black + Latino entrepreneurs. Business owners credit part of their growth to these resources, including Prospera and the Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation. (WFTS)

Number

$6.4 million. That’s how much Lake Region High School’s senior JROTC members have earned in full-ride college scholarships — the most LRHS has earned in one year. Cadets are spoiled for choice after receiving offers from schools across the nation as well.

Award

Alice O’Reilly, President Emeritus of VISTE, received the 2024 Sarah D. McKay Award from the Junior League of Greater Lakeland — the organization’s top honor. Interested in joining the Junior League? New member registration is open through Monday, June 17.

Read

If you love to read thrillers, cookbooks, romances, and family dramas, don’t miss the June + July book clubs at Pressed. Registration is open but slots are filling up fast — don’t forget to purchase your picks from Pressed to join.

Edu

Want to get in on the jobs that make our techy lives possible? Check out SEU Tech’s new certificate + degree program, combining Bachelor’s or Master’s business degrees with concentration-focused certificates in some of the nation’s highest-demand tech jobs. Psst: You can also get a certificate without the degree.*

Seasonal

🌺 Spring + summer menus are blooming

Fall + Halloween seasonal menus have arrived in Lakeland

A letter sign outside Andrew's Coffee at night reading "Creepy doll fall, coming soon."

Sips with a side of scares, anyone? | Photo by LALtoday

Eating well never goes out of season. Refresh your palate with these seasonal menu items from local eateries, cafes, and bars.

Amonie Jo’s Coffee, 401 S. Florida Ave.
The spring Honey-Lavender Cloud Matcha Latte is almost too pretty to drink. Almost.

Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro, locations vary
The bacon jam biscuit + street corn tartine have returned, but the new pork belly bowl is worth a try, too.

Cob & Pen, 1221 S. Florida Ave.
The menu got even more colorful here — pair the new gyro with a Golden God cocktail made with elderflower liqueur.

Concord Coffee, 1037 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 135
The Blue Butterfly Matcha Latte will be available June 1. Try it hot, iced, or with lemonade instead of milk.

The Joinery, 640 E. Main St.
Head to the bar to try summer cocktails like the fruity + tart Lo-fi Summer or the Knuck If You Buck tiki drink.

The Buy

The Buy 5.14.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Clinique’s Take The Day Off cleansing balm makeup remover. This balm’s silky, buttery formula dissolves long-wearing makeup and sunscreens — and it’s one of the brand’s best sellers.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

I have to shout out teams from Lakeland Electric that are helping out in my hometown of Tallahassee after tornadoes did serious damage last week — one even hit just 200 yards from my family’s home. Mutual Aid crews from three states are working together to restore power to 66,000+ people in need.

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