Lakeland, Florida

Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. It is east of Tampa and southwest of Orlando.

The city is known for its many lakes, including Lake Morton in the downtown area. Lakeland is called "Swan City" because of the swans there. These swans came from two mute swans given to the city by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957.

Lakeland has several colleges and universities. The city has its own airport, the Lakeland Linder International Airport, and is home to the corporate headquarters of Publix.

The city began when settlers arrived in the 1870s. It grew quickly in the 1880s after rail service came. Today, Lakeland still has natural areas like the Circle B Bar Reserve.

History

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Lakeland, Florida.

Early history

In the 1700s, groups of Native Americans called Seminoles moved into the area. In 1823, the United States and Florida tribes signed a treaty that created a reservation in central Florida, including what is now Polk County. In the 1830s, the United States tried to move the Seminoles west, leading to a long conflict.

Statehood and the 19th century

Florida became a state in 1845, and Polk County was created in 1861. Lakeland began to grow in the 1870s as railroads reached the area. It became an official town on January 1, 1885. The town was named for the many nearby lakes.

The Florida Boom and the 20th century

A time of rapid growth in Florida led to many important buildings being built in Lakeland. The city also became a place where baseball teams trained. Later, a famous architect designed buildings for a local college.

World War II

At the start of World War II, a school for learning to fly in Lakeland became part of the United States' war effort. Many students learned to fly there during the war years.

Geography

The city covers an area of 67 square miles, with 45.84 square miles of land and 5.61 square miles of water. Lakeland is part of the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plain. The land is flat with gentle hills.

Lakeland is famous for its many lakes. The largest is Lake Parker, which is 2,550 acres. Other important lakes are Lake Hollingsworth, Lake Morton, Lake Mirror, and Lake Gibson. People often use these lakes to describe where they live, like saying, "I live near Lake Beulah."

Swans are often seen on the lakes near downtown Lakeland. They were first brought there around 1923 but disappeared by 1954. A resident wrote to Queen Elizabeth II, and the royal family sent two royal swans. Their descendants now live on the lakes.

Lakeland has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid, often above 90 °F. Winters are milder and drier, with daytime temperatures in the mid-70s °F and nighttime lows in the 50s °F. Very cold weather can sometimes drop temperatures below freezing.

Demographics

2010 and 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, 112,641 people lived in the city. In 2010 United States census, 97,422 people lived there.

Between 2008 and 2012, the average income for each person was $23,817 and the average income for a household was $40,284. About 17.5% of people lived below the poverty line during that time.

2000 census

In 2000, about 23.5% of families had children under age 18. About 43.5% were married couples living together, and 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present. About 39% of households were made up of individuals.

In 2000, the city's population was spread out, with 21.4% under age 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years or older. The median age was 40 years.

In 2000, the average income for a household was $16,119, and for a family was $17,468. About 47% of families and 35% of the population lived below the poverty line, including many under age 18.

Languages

As of 2000, 91% of residents spoke only English at home. Spanish was the most common other language, spoken by 6.4% of the population. German was third at 0.8%, and French was fourth at 0.5%.

Religion

In 1913, the Wolfson family came from Lithuania and were the first Jewish settlers in the area. The first synagogue, Temple Emanuel, opened in 1932. The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute offers classes and seminars in Lakeland.

Lakeland is home to the Swaminarayan Hindu Temple, which opened in 2005.

In 1994, the first and only mosque in the county was built. It was called Masjid Aisha, but is now called the Islamic Center of Lakeland.

Christianity is the largest religious group in Lakeland. As of 2013, about 300 churches were located in the city.

Economy

Lakeland is the largest city on Interstate 4 between Orlando and Tampa. Key industries include citrus farming, cattle, and phosphate mining. Tourism, medicine, insurance, transportation, and music are also important.

Citrus farming began with early settlers in the 1850s. After cold weather hurt crops north of Polk County, the area became a main place for citrus in Florida. Citrus is not the largest industry now, but it still helps Lakeland’s economy.

Phosphate mining stays important, though most mining occurs farther south. The Bone Valley supplied a large part of the U.S. phosphate.

The biggest employer in Lakeland is Publix Super Markets, one of the largest grocery chains in the American South with many stores. Publix employs thousands of people in Lakeland, including at headquarters, Information Technology, and warehouses.

Lakeland is also a transportation center. Companies like FedEx Freight and FedEx Services and Saddle Creek Corporation employ many people. Other major employers include Amazon, GEICO, Rooms To Go, and Lakeland Regional Health.

Culture

The Lakeland History Room is a special place inside the Lakeland Public Library. It started in 1987 and has many old things about Lakeland, like papers, pictures, maps, and more. It also has over 7,000 pictures showing important times and places in Lakeland’s history.

In 2019, leaders in Lakeland decided to build a new History and Culture Center. People in the area helped and gave money for this. The center opened in September 2022 and is inside the Lakeland Public Library, which also has the Lakeland History Room.

Historic districts

• Beacon Hill-Alta Vista Residential District
• Biltmore-Cumberland Historic District
• Dixieland Historic District
• East Lake Morton Residential District
• Lake Hunter Terrace Historic District
• Munn Park Historic District
• South Lake Morton Historic District

Buildings and locations

• Central Avenue School
• Cleveland Court School
• Florida Southern College
• John F. Cox Grammar School
• Lakeland Center
• Lakeland Square Mall
• Lakeside Village
• Old Lakeland High School
• James Henry Mills Medal of Honor Parkway
• Oates Building
• Polk State College
• Polk Museum of Art
• Polk Theatre
• Southeastern University (Florida)
• USA International Speedway
• Florida Polytechnic University
• Winston School
• Without Walls Central Church – a local/regional megachurch
• Silvermoon Drive-in
• Bonnet Springs

Libraries

• Lakeland Public Library
• Larry R. Jackson Branch Library
• eLibrary South Lakeland

Sports

Stadiums

Main article: Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium

Joker Marchant Stadium is north of downtown. The Detroit Tigers practice there in the spring. The Lakeland Flying Tigers and GCL Tigers teams also play there.

Main article: RP Funding Center

The RP Funding Center is home to two indoor sports teams. The Lakeland Magic is a basketball team connected to the Orlando Magic. The Florida Tropics SC is an indoor soccer team. The Tropics also have an outdoor team called the Lakeland Tropics. The Florida Tarpons used to be an indoor football team that played here for one season after moving from Estero, Florida.

History of sports teams

In 1919, the Lakeland Highlanders joined the Florida State League. They played there until 1926. Later, from 1946 to 1955, the Lakeland Pilots played in the same league. Both teams played at Henley Field.

In the 1980s, the Lakeland Center hosted the indoor version of the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team. The center has also been home to several hockey teams and a roller derby league called the Lakeland Derby Dames.

The Lakeland Center also holds the state basketball finals for high schools.

Government and politics

Lakeland is run by a city council with six members. Four are chosen from parts of the city, and two are chosen by everyone in the city. The mayor is also elected by voters.

The City of Lakeland began in 1885. The mayor is part of the City Commission and helps organize meetings. Before 1988, the mayor was chosen from the Commission members. Now, voters elect the mayor.

Lakeland has had many mayors, including its first woman mayor and its first African-American mayor.

Mayors of Lakeland

Further information: List of mayors of Lakeland, Florida

Law enforcement

In 2021, the Lakeland Police Department hired several officers who had worked for another police department. Some of these officers did not share important information about their past work.

Education

Lakeland has many schools run by the Polk County School Board. There are elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools for students to attend.

The high schools include George W. Jenkins High School, Kathleen High School, Lake Gibson High School, Lakeland Senior High School, and Tenoroc High School.

There are also special schools for the arts and other programs, like the Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts and Polk State College Lakeland Collegiate High School.

Families can choose from charter and private schools as well.

Lakeland has many places for higher education. Universities and colleges in the area include Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Southern College, Florida Technical College, Keiser University, Webster University, Polk State College, Southeastern University, and Whitefield Theological Seminary.

Media

See also: List of newspapers in Florida, List of radio stations in Florida, and List of television stations in Florida

Polk County is part of the Tampa Bay television area. Charter Spectrum provides cable TV in Lakeland and shows most stations from Tampa Bay, plus WFTV, the ABC station from Orlando. WMOR-TV, an independent TV station, is licensed to Lakeland but has its studios in Tampa and its transmitter in Riverview.

Lakeland and Polk County have their own radio market. Local radio stations include:

• WLKF 1430 AM
• WONN 1230 AM
• WWAB 1330 AM
• WPCV 97.5 FM
• WWRZ 98.3 FM

WLLD 94.1 FM is licensed to Lakeland but focuses more on the Tampa Bay area, with studios in St. Petersburg. WKES 91.1 FM is also licensed to Lakeland and is part of the statewide Moody Radio Florida network, with studios in Seminole, near St. Petersburg. You can also listen to many major stations from Tampa Bay and some from Orlando.

Print media includes The Ledger, a local newspaper owned by USA Today Co.. Patterson Jacobs Media Group publishes a magazine called The Lakelander.

LkldNow is a nonprofit digital news group that reports on Lakeland news.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Lakeland is the largest city on I-4 between Tampa and Orlando. Important roads in Lakeland include:

• I-4, connecting Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, and Daytona Beach.
• SR 570 (Polk Parkway), a road around Lakeland.
• US 92, leading to Tampa and Orlando.
• US 98, going south to Bartow and north to Dade City.
• SR 33, leading to Lake County and the Florida’s Turnpike.
• SR 37, a main north–south road in Lakeland.
• SR 540, Winter-Lake Road, leading to Winter Haven and Legoland Florida.

Lakeland has bicycle routes like the Lake-To-Lakes Trail, running from Lake Parker through downtown. Other routes include University Trail and the Fort Fraser Trail.

Public transportation includes the Lakeland Amtrak Station, Lakeland Linder International Airport, the Lakeland Greyhound Terminal, and the local bus service Citrus Connection.

Utilities

Water and wastewater in Lakeland are managed by Lakeland Water Utilities. The water comes from wells linked to the Floridan aquifer. Power is provided by Lakeland Electric, a local power company. Lakeland was one of the first cities in Florida to have electric lighting. Lakeland Electric has operated since 1904.

Lakeland Electric runs two power plants: C.D. McIntosh Power Plant and Larsen Memorial.

Notable people

See also: List of people from Lakeland, Florida

Entertainment

Lakeland has been home to many talented people in entertainment. Some famous names include Nat Adderley, a jazz musician, and Lindsey Alley, a former Mouseketeer. Others include Bobby Braddock, a country music producer, and Faith Evans, a well-known singer. The city has also seen actors, musicians, and models grow up or live here.

Sports

Many athletes have come from Lakeland. George Almones and Dwayne Bacon both played in the NBA. Ahmad Black and Ray Lewis were star players in the NFL. The city has also produced golfers, baseball players, and a skateboarder who have made their mark in professional sports around the world.

Other

Besides entertainment and sports, Lakeland has been home to important leaders and innovators. Charles T. Canady served as a chief justice, and Lawton Chiles was a senator and governor. George W. Jenkins founded the Publix Super Markets, and Floretta Dukes McKenzie made big changes in education. These individuals have helped shape the city's history and its place in the world.

Sister cities

See also: List of sister cities in the United States

Lakeland has special friendships with cities in other countries. This started in 1990 with a friendship with Richmond Hill in Canada. Since then, Lakeland has made friends with many more places around the world.

• Bălți, Moldova (since 1997)
• Chongming County, Shanghai, China (since 2007)
• Imabari, Ehime, Japan (since 1995)
• Portmore, Jamaica (since 2009)
• Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (since 1990)

Lakeland also has friendly ties with:

• Rîbnița, Moldova
• Jiaxing, China

In popular culture

Lakeland has been in some famous movies and music videos. In 1990, the Southgate Shopping Center was in the film Edward Scissorhands. Classrooms from Florida Southern College were used in the comedy The Waterboy starring Adam Sandler. The Lakeland Civic Center was used for a music video for the song Little Red Corvette by Prince. In 2020, the Southgate Shopping Center was used to look like a mall in the movie The One and Only Ivan. More scenes were filmed at the Silver Moon Drive-In and Dobbins Park.