Polk County: The Heart of Florida
Book Chapter, Copperfield Publications, 2004
Those fortunate enough to call Polk County home are living the high life in Florida. Literally. With elevations approaching 300 feet above sea level, the Lake Wales Ridge in eastern Polk County contains some of the highest ground on the Florida Peninsula. Millions of years ago, this high ground formed a chain of islands surrounded by a vast ocean. Today, the area is surrounded by all the best Florida has to offer – from the rare charms of small-town life to the excitement of world-renowned family attractions.
After the Ridge was created from sand deposits washed up by the ancient sea, life blossomed, developing and expressing itself in myriad ways. Today, Polk County's unique geography and central location continue to contribute to a vibrant and richly diverse way of life.
Much of the land that originally made up Florida's ancient islands has been developed for agriculture, business and residential use but, to this day, the Lake Wales Ridge still contains one of the highest concentrations of rare and endangered species in the world. A good place to start an exploration of this very special natural heritage is the Ridge Audubon Society's Babson Park Center, located just south of Lake Wales. The Center is part of a network of parks and preserves designed to protect the area's native species and their habitat while also offering recreational opportunities such as hiking, birding, camping, horseback riding and canoeing.
For many area residents, that initial exploration of the environment has led to a committed passion to protect and maintain the natural beauty that surrounds them. They have banded together to form The Ridge Rangers, a volunteer association that works with the county, the State of Florida and the federal government as well as with private organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and the Green Horizon Land Trust to preserve the area's natural heritage.
Not all of Polk County's treasures are natural attractions, however. Spook Hill, for example, is downright un natural. This unusual site in Lake Wales actually seems to defy the laws of gravity. The eerie phenomenon was first observed by circuit riders carrying mail between Florida's coasts; they gave the place its distinctive sobriquet when they discovered that their horses were laboring on the downhill slope. When the local citrus industry developed, mule teams could be seen struggling to pull their loaded wagons down the hill. Just as surprising, oranges that fell off the wagons reportedly rolled up the hill! Today it is cars that seem to roll uphill by themselves. Skeptics attribute Spook Hill's uncanny effects to an optical illusion, but curious visitors continue to test the theory on a daily basis, making it a popular attraction.
Likewise, while Mother Nature has, undoubtedly, been generous to Polk County, she is not the area's only benefactor. Historic Bok Sanctuary was the gift of Dutch immigrant Edward William Bok. A Pulitzer Prize-winning author, editor and philanthropist, Bok was inspired by his grandmother, who said to a young Bok and his brother, “Wherever your lives may be cast, make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.” The nature sanctuary Bok created in Lake Wales as a gift to the American people certainly satisfied those criteria. Dedicated in 1929 and now registered as a National Historic Landmark, Bok's gift included 130 acres of botanical gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., whose father created New York City's Central Park. In the heart of the gardens, a graceful tower soars 205 feet above one of Florida's highest hills. Finely crafted of marble and coquina and embellished with tile work, carvings and wrought iron, the tower contains 60 bronze bells that can be heard at regular intervals throughout the day as well as on special occasions, such as the annual International Carillon Festival, the park's celebration of Bok's birthday and a series of moonlight carillon recitals.
Of course, the theme parks in nearby Orlando still attract more visitors than Lake Wales' Historic Bok Sanctuary and Spook Hill combined, but Polk County offers something Orlando can't match – peaceful days, uncrowded pathways and the rare beauty of bells tolling on a hillside, of lakes sparkling in the sun and of a shared sense of community.
In fact, a sense of community spirit and civic pride underlies the good life throughout Polk County, from the annual Pancake Breakfast and Auction hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Lake Wales to Auburndale's active participation in the Main Street Program, an ongoing project established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to preserve historical commercial architecture and to stimulate economic revitalization in the downtown district.
The city of Winter Haven also participates in the Main Street program and, in many ways, typifies the development of the unique quality of life that residents enjoy in Polk County. Before it was even incorporated in 1911, Winter Haven boasted a Social Club and served as headquarters of the Florida Growers Association, demonstrating the community focus that remains an integral part of life in the area. The Twenty Lakes Boat Course Club was established in 1915 in conjunction with the canals that would link Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes. The Florida Citrus Festival made its debut in 1924 as county residents celebrated the role of agribusiness in their lives. Tourism began to play an influential role in Winter Haven's economy with the opening of Cypress Gardens in 1936. The 1930s also introduced another major player to the county's economic foundation as George Jenkins opened the first Publix supermarket at the corner of Central Avenue and Second Street N.W. in Winter Haven.
Similar foundations laid the groundwork for flourishing communities across the county. Today, Lake Alfred prides itself on being a family oriented community, boasting an impressive range of recreational opportunities as well as an active line up of civic organizations. The Winter Haven-Lakeland area recently ranked as the 17 th most affordable place to live in the United States, according to the National Home Builders Association, and the Lakeland campus of Florida Southern College boasts the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. The town of Frostproof offers residents the distinctive charms of rural life. Bartow, the county seat and the home of the Polk County Historical Museum and the Historical & Genealogical Library, offers residents the opportunity to savor the area's rich history and heritage.
Lake Wales is big on history, too, with a National Historic District noted for its delightful collection of art galleries, antique shops and tempting dining venues housed in historic structures. Lake Wales is also home to what is considered to be Florida's oldest and largest community-wide Mardi Gras celebration. Masked balls, festive parades, music festivals and art exhibits fill the local calendar for weeks beginning in January of each year. Long before the carnival festivities begin, however, more than a dozen non-profit community-based krewes, or parade clubs, begin the work of creating costumes and decorating floats.
While sharing many similarities, each community within the county maintains a unique personality. When viewed as a whole, each town, each lake, each hill, can be seen as a colorful piece in a dazzling mosaic. The big picture that is formed is something not just to behold but to experience. In 1996, Money magazine listed Polk County as one of the top ten places to live in the country.
Throughout the area, tourism continues to combine with a progressive business climate, a dedication to redevelopment and historic preservation and an awareness of the environment to attract business and nurture the good life. Major employers such as State Farm Insurance, which has its regional headquarters in the area, and Sherwin Williams, Wal-Mart and Scotty's, all of which have large distribution centers in Polk County, appreciate the benefits of not only a centralized location but of stable communities that provide employees with a good place to live and raise their families.
Growth in the area is steady and controlled. Real estate prices are reasonable. The pace of life is more relaxed and enjoyable. There is still time for family dinners and Sunday outings – and Polk County offers lots of things to do on those outings.
For no charge, families can explore the variety of changing exhibits on display at The Depot Museum located in Lake Wales. The railroad museum's permanent exhibits include a collection of antique railroad rolling stock and a large model railroad display. For those who are passionate about the romance of the rails, a trip to nearby Dundee would also be in order. There they can experience the power of a steam locomotive with the Ridge Live Steamers.
To get a refreshingly different perspective on life in Polk County, head to Fantasy of Flight in Polk City where you can ride in the open cockpit of a vintage plane or soar over the hills of Central Florida in a hot air balloon. This unique family attraction is a tribute to the innovation and imagination of the pioneers of flight. Featuring many rare and vintage aircraft, Fantasy of Flight transports visitors back to the hey-day of aviation. Other uplifting attractions in the area include The World Skydive Center at the Lake Wales Mid Florida Regional Airport and the Sun ‘n' Fun Complex in Lakeland. Designated as the State of Florida's official aviation museum and education center, Sun ‘n' Fun attracts thousands of enthusiasts from all segments of the aviation community every spring for a full week of high-flying activities during the annual Sun ‘n' Fun Fly-In.
Polk County also offers residents a multitude of cultural opportunities. The Lake Wales Amphitheater hosts a number of cultural and musical performances throughout the year, including "A Passion for Jazz," the popular annual jazz festival. Not far away, the Lake Wales Little Theatre offers live performances in an intimate civic theatre setting. At Theatre Winter Haven, the curtain rises on popular shows staged by a semi-professional company. Lakeland and Haines City also boast civic theaters.
Since 1978, the Lakeland Concert Band has been performing at the Lakeland Center, a regional convention center that hosts a variety of musical and theatrical events throughout the year. The center also serves as the home of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra.
At the orchestra's first performance there were 30 musicians, the audience was made up of their family and friends, and a large glass jar marked “donations” represented the group's financial base. Today, The Imperial Symphony Orchestra receives funding from city, county and state sources as well as from corporations and private donors. More than 80 skilled musicians contribute their time and talent to the organization, participating in an average of 50 rehearsals and 15 concerts each season. In addition to a subscription series presented at Lakeland Center's Youkey Theatre, the ISO presents several free pops concerts around the county. Educational and youth programs are also a big part of the life of the orchestra and the community. Thanks to the ISO, roughly 9,000 fourth and fifth students experience the joys of a live classical music performance every year. For many, it is an eye-opening and heart moving introduction to the power of music. For some, it is an inspiration that will stay with them for a lifetime.
The visual arts are also well represented in Polk County. A visit to The Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, the Lake Wales Arts Center or The Ridge Art Association in Winter Haven will prove it.
Of course, the crack of a bat is music to the ears of many, there are those who consider the perfect golf swing to be a work of art and there is no doubt that the sporting and recreational opportunities that abound in Polk County are definitely part of the good life.
Three major league baseball teams have their Spring Training facilities in the county, including the Kansas City Royals, the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers. Baseball and softball fields dot the area and provide an ideal setting for many Florida Travel Baseball League tournaments. Combined with more than two-dozen area golf courses, dozens of tennis and handball courts and a rich variety of local parks and recreational opportunities, the good life in Polk County is definitely an active one.
More than 100 miles of picturesque biking paths and recommended roadways that wind through the hills of the Lake Wales Ridge make the area popular with biking enthusiasts, many of whom participate in the annual Florida Bikefest in October. Polk County is also an extremely popular destination with fishing enthusiasts. With more than 550 lakes, the area offers some of the best largemouth bass fishing in the world. You don't have to be handy with a rod and reel to enjoy the water, though; boating and water skiing are also popular.
In addition to providing a foundation for all this activity, the natural attributes that encouraged early settlement in the area still play a vital role in the local economy. The shimmering waters of the county's 550-plus lakes provide peaceful views for homeowners, world-class fishing for anglers and countless of hours of fun and relaxation for just about everyone else. Overhead, the blue skies that stretch above the county's 17 cities and towns provide a beautiful backdrop for local attractions such as Fantasy of Flight and The World Skydive Center. Just to the north, Orlando's world-famous theme parks beckon. Tampa and the shell-strewn beaches of the Gulf Coast lie one hour to the west and Florida's breathtaking Space Coast is just a 90-minute drive to the east. And all around in Polk County, a variety of arts, sports, outdoor activities, community events and shopping venues contribute to a very good life.