Sunshine Rewind
A look back at Lakeland’s early years.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE LAKELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
When something new is built or something old gets refurbished, time can make it difficult to picture what it was like before. It’s even harder to imagine a city at its inception - and remarkable to think that what’s considered ordinary now would have been extraordinary then. That beautiful lake drive with picturesque footpath? It was once a dirt road with more cattle than vehicles or pedestrians.
That quiet block downtown – it was once a city center. This short retrospective gives us a small, but enlightening glimpse at Lakeland’s beginnings. It should inspire an appreciation for the lives and work that made our city what it is, and a resolve to keep up the good work for those who come after us.
1880’s
Abraham Munn
In 1882, investor Abraham Munn of Kentucky purchased the land that became central Lakeland and within a few years offered subdivided lots for sale through his Lakeland Improvement Company. Munn set the stage for Lakeland’s future economic growth when he struck a deal with the South Florida Railroad to make Lakeland a stop on its line – which he helped accomplish by building a rail station with his own resources.
1880’s
First Bakery
Certainly not as sophisticated or spacious as modern-day favorites like Born & Bread or Honeycomb Bread Bakers, Lakeland’s first bakery used a natural power source – while providing a great location for people who wanted to stare ominously.
1884
Earliest known photo of Downtown
Taken from the intersection of Pine and N. Florida, this might be the earliest extant photograph of downtown Lakeland. In the foreground is The Lakeland News office.
1897
Kitchen Camp Lake Morton
During the Spanish American War, Lake Morton was the campsite for nearly 9,000 soldiers on their way to Cuba. This photograph captures one of the camp kitchens where they received daily nourishment.
1907
Lake Hollingsworth Drive
Long before the picturesque pathways and iconic houses, Lake Hollingsworth Drive boasted a more rural kind of beauty.
1908
Main Street
Main Street. We hope this gentleman knew about the two-hour parking limit. The Kentucky Building on the right included a dentist’s office and a candy store, both presumably owned by the same enterprising individual.
1911
Home Buyers
The quest for a home in Lakeland is nothing new – this photo captures prospective home buyers more than a century ago, each with an escalation clause in his contract.
1912
Street Preachers Arrested
Modern-day Lakeland is home to a large thriving faith community. More than 100 years ago though, “Got a license for that street preachin’?” This group was arrested and jailed for public proselytizing without first obtaining permission.
1913
Horse Drawn Fire Department
If your house caught fire in 1913, the brave souls and horse-drawn fire wagon of Volunteer Company No. 1 would be there — eventually.
1920’s
Yarnell Building
The Yarnell Building is replete with commercial history and here it is captured in its original purpose – the Yarnell Storage and Transfer Company. You’ll notice the company’s phone number on the building: 109.
1924
Boating on Lake Morton
A young woman prepares to take a rowboat on Lake Morton.
1925
A Legacy For The Ages
The Wilson brothers' father purchased land north of 10th St. that became known as the Wilson Quarters. The brothers were influential leaders and elders in local churches, and several of them lived past 100.
1930
Aerial of Lake Mirror Promenade
This aerial view of the Lake Mirror Promenade gives a glimpse of the remarkable amount of development in Lakeland’s first half-century, no doubt thanks to Munn’s prescient railway stop and early residents’ hard work in the citrus, cattle and phosphate industries.
1920
Citrus Fruit Harvesters
Citrus was an early economic boon for Lakeland. These gentlemen load boxes of oranges for transport.
1938
Sailboat Races
This sailboat race isn’t an early Orange Cup Regatta – which actually began five years before this image was taken – but it does beautifully capture a fun day on Lake Hollingsworth.
1940
Lakeland Airport Hanger
This sailboat race isn’t an early Orange Cup Regatta – which actually began five years before this image was taken – but it does beautifully capture a fun day on Lake Hollingsworth.
1937
Spring Training
No other major league team and its spring training city have had a longer relationship than the Detroit Tigers and Lakeland.
1937
Billboard
Lakeland, still hospitable after all these years.
1937
Grocery
It’s impossible to imagine a Lakeland without Mr. George and the indelible mark Publix has made on the city. George Jenkins ultimately bought this Lakeland Grocery Store on N. Florida Avenue where it became part of what is now the city’s largest employer.
1940’s
FLW
Renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright looks out on the construction of Florida Southern College, a campus he oversaw the construction of 13 structures on.