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Have you ever driven through central Lakeland and found pockets of unique neighborhoods? If so, you might have been in one of Lakeland’s seven Historic Districts. The City of Lakeland works hard to preserve its architectural and cultural history. Combined, these seven districts take up a little under 1.5 square miles. There are more than 1,600 protected buildings and thirteen historic landmarks spanning the districts. Furthermore, about six percent of Lakeland’s total population resides in the seven historic districts. Each one has its own distinct personality and history that contribute to Lakeland’s overall character. Beacon Hill The Beacon Hill Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 1993. Most of the homes within this district were built in the 1920s. Beacon Hill displays a diverse array of styles, ranging from frame vernacular to Colonial, although the bungalow-style houses seem to be the most prevalent in the area. This district is home to a portion of Lakelands upper-middle class residents. Are you curious about how this area received its name? It is rumored that it is named after Boston’s Beacon Hill District. Fun Fact: Beacon Hill hosts an annual “Holiday Walkabout,” which is a cherished tradition where neighbors and strangers alike gather to walk along the sidewalks to view the Christmas lights and decorations. This holiday tradition goes back many decades. Biltmore/Cumberland The Biltmore/Cumberland Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 2004. Most of the buildings in this region were constructed following the vernacular tradition. This area is identifiable by a Modern architectural style that was prevalent in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Although most of the homes in this district follow the vernacular tradition architecture, a small number of the buildings feature a variety of other architectural styles. The roads found within areas of this district are arranged in a diamond pattern. Fun Fact: The lots in this area are sixty-two feet, whereas most of the lots in Lakeland are a maximum of 50 feet. Dixieland The Dixieland Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 1994. This district has a combination of large and small residences, open green spaces, the expansive 100-acre Lake Hunter and a bustling commercial and office hub. As one of the most "time-honored" neighborhoods in the city, it consists of a structured grid layout including roads and alleys with various institutions like churches, schools, shops and a verdant tree canopy. Dixieland's historical ambiance is further enhanced by its old-fashioned lighting and the prevalence of bungalow-style architecture from the 1920s, with a few Colonial and Mediterranean-style homes scattered within the district. This beautiful architecture is preserved by design guidelines set forth by Lakeland’s Historic Preservation Board's Design Review Committee. Fun Fact: Check out the “Dixieland Dragon” in the alley along West Park Street behind Hungry Howie's Pizza. The 30-foot-long sculpture made from recycled metal was created by Lakeland welder, Keith Williams. Munn Park The Munn Park Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 1997. Munn Park has always been a gathering area for the city of Lakeland (town square). It was founded in the early 1880s, by Abraham Godwin Munn. Many of the buildings in the area were built during the early 1900s and Florida's Boom era of the 1920s, characterized by brick and cast stone construction. They mainly consist of two or three stories, with retail areas located on the first floor and office or hotel rooms on the upper floors. However, there have been numerous fire incidents that destroyed several of the original frame buildings over the years. Fun Fact: Munn Park has an official self-guided walking tour created by the city. Check it out and learn about this historic district in depth. Better yet, show off your tour guide skills and take your friends and family… https://www.lakelandgov.net/media/2399/walking_web.pdf East + South Lake Morton The East + South Lake Morton Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 1985 & 1993. Most of the homes in these districts were constructed during the Florida Boom period between 1920 and 1926 even though the neighborhoods were formed in 1906. The home’s architecture contains Bungalow and Mediterranean designs. Not only that, but the natural landscape of this area provides aesthetically pleasing views, open spaces and vistas which are uniquely distinct character traits of these historic districts. Fun Fact: Together, these districts contain Lakeland's largest collection of Century Homes. Most now have permanent bronze markers to make them easily identifiable. Some owners even show off their homes annually for the Historic Home and Garden tour! Lake Hunter Terrace The Lake Hunter Terrace Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 2002. Its gently sloping brick streets, mature tree canopy and a high concentration of unaltered older homes contribute to the homely feel of this district. Construction began by subdividing this district in the 1900s. However, around two-thirds of the development occurred during and shortly after World War II. The Bungalow style home, common in the area during the 1900s, morphed into the Masonry Vernacular style that became common after World War II. This led to the mix of styles that can now be seen throughout this district. Fun Fact: This is the first post-World War II neighborhood to be designated a historic district in Lakeland. As one can see, each of these districts is unique with much architectural and cultural history. Try looking through a historian’s eyes next time you drive or walk around Lakeland. To help you, use this colorful map which lays out the borders of all of Lakeland’s historic districts: https://www.lakelandgov.net/media/6696/lakeland-historic-districts-2017.pdf Written by Madison Meisenbach Photos by Faith Carr Are you intersted in more information about Lakeland? Find lists of local businesses and more blog posts on ExploreLKLD.com
Have you ever driven through central Lakeland and found pockets of unique neighborhoods? If so, you might have been in one of Lakeland’s seven Historic Districts. The City of Lakeland works hard to preserve its architectural and cultural history. Combined, these seven districts take up a little under 1.5 square miles. There are more than 1,600 protected buildings and thirteen historic landmarks spanning the districts. Furthermore, about six percent of Lakeland’s total population resides in the seven historic districts. Each one has its own distinct personality and history that contribute to Lakeland’s overall character.
Beacon Hill
The Beacon Hill Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 1993. Most of the homes within this district were built in the 1920s. Beacon Hill displays a diverse array of styles, ranging from frame vernacular to Colonial, although the bungalow-style houses seem to be the most prevalent in the area. This district is home to a portion of Lakelands upper-middle class residents. Are you curious about how this area received its name? It is rumored that it is named after Boston’s Beacon Hill District.
Fun Fact: Beacon Hill hosts an annual “Holiday Walkabout,” which is a cherished tradition where neighbors and strangers alike gather to walk along the sidewalks to view the Christmas lights and decorations. This holiday tradition goes back many decades.
Biltmore/Cumberland
The Biltmore/Cumberland Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 2004. Most of the buildings in this region were constructed following the vernacular tradition. This area is identifiable by a Modern architectural style that was prevalent in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Although most of the homes in this district follow the vernacular tradition architecture, a small number of the buildings feature a variety of other architectural styles. The roads found within areas of this district are arranged in a diamond pattern.
Fun Fact: The lots in this area are sixty-two feet, whereas most of the lots in Lakeland are a maximum of 50 feet.
Dixieland
The Dixieland Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 1994. This district has a combination of large and small residences, open green spaces, the expansive 100-acre Lake Hunter and a bustling commercial and office hub. As one of the most "time-honored" neighborhoods in the city, it consists of a structured grid layout including roads and alleys with various institutions like churches, schools, shops and a verdant tree canopy. Dixieland's historical ambiance is further enhanced by its old-fashioned lighting and the prevalence of bungalow-style architecture from the 1920s, with a few Colonial and Mediterranean-style homes scattered within the district. This beautiful architecture is preserved by design guidelines set forth by Lakeland’s Historic Preservation Board's Design Review Committee.
Fun Fact: Check out the “Dixieland Dragon” in the alley along West Park Street behind Hungry Howie's Pizza. The 30-foot-long sculpture made from recycled metal was created by Lakeland welder, Keith Williams.
Munn Park
The Munn Park Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 1997. Munn Park has always been a gathering area for the city of Lakeland (town square). It was founded in the early 1880s, by Abraham Godwin Munn. Many of the buildings in the area were built during the early 1900s and Florida's Boom era of the 1920s, characterized by brick and cast stone construction. They mainly consist of two or three stories, with retail areas located on the first floor and office or hotel rooms on the upper floors. However, there have been numerous fire incidents that destroyed several of the original frame buildings over the years.
Fun Fact: Munn Park has an official self-guided walking tour created by the city. Check it out and learn about this historic district in depth. Better yet, show off your tour guide skills and take your friends and family… https://www.lakelandgov.net/media/2399/walking_web.pdf
East + South Lake Morton
The East + South Lake Morton Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 1985 & 1993. Most of the homes in these districts were constructed during the Florida Boom period between 1920 and 1926 even though the neighborhoods were formed in 1906. The home’s architecture contains Bungalow and Mediterranean designs. Not only that, but the natural landscape of this area provides aesthetically pleasing views, open spaces and vistas which are uniquely distinct character traits of these historic districts.
Fun Fact: Together, these districts contain Lakeland's largest collection of Century Homes. Most now have permanent bronze markers to make them easily identifiable. Some owners even show off their homes annually for the Historic Home and Garden tour!
Lake Hunter Terrace
The Lake Hunter Terrace Historic District was recognized in the national registry in 2002. Its gently sloping brick streets, mature tree canopy and a high concentration of unaltered older homes contribute to the homely feel of this district. Construction began by subdividing this district in the 1900s. However, around two-thirds of the development occurred during and shortly after World War II. The Bungalow style home, common in the area during the 1900s, morphed into the Masonry Vernacular style that became common after World War II. This led to the mix of styles that can now be seen throughout this district.
Fun Fact: This is the first post-World War II neighborhood to be designated a historic district in Lakeland.
As one can see, each of these districts is unique with much architectural and cultural history. Try looking through a historian’s eyes next time you drive or walk around Lakeland. To help you, use this colorful map which lays out the borders of all of Lakeland’s historic districts: https://www.lakelandgov.net/media/6696/lakeland-historic-districts-2017.pdf
Written by Madison Meisenbach
Photos by Faith Carr
Are you intersted in more information about Lakeland? Find lists of local businesses and more blog posts on ExploreLKLD.com