Historic Preservation

With a history going back to Florida’s pioneer days in the 1870s, the City of Lakeland is proud of its unique architectural and cultural heritage. Boasting the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings on the campus of Florida Southern College, as well as notable buildings and structures designed by Donovan Dean, Franklin O. Adams, Edward Columbus Hosford, and Charles Wellford Leavitt, Lakeland’s architectural history reflects a diversity of styles and character.

Established in 1980, Lakeland’s historic preservation program protects the irreplaceable architectural, cultural, and historical character of our community. Historic preservation maintains the integrity of the City’s historic districts and local landmarks and ensures that changes to these areas and structures are done in an architecturally appropriate manner that preserves their character. Long-term outcomes of this program have strengthened the local economy by attracting and stimulating private investment, creating new jobs, stabilizing and improving property values, and increasing heritage tourism opportunities. Lakeland was named a Certified Local Government by the National Park Service and Florida Division of Historic Resources in 1989, one of the oldest such designations in the state, which enables it to administer federal and state historic preservation programs. Within the City of Lakeland Land Development Code, Article 11: Historic Preservation Standards defines Lakeland’s historic preservation program.

Facts about Lakeland's Historic Districts

• The City of Lakeland has seven local historic districts with a combined area of 1.42 square miles.
• The districts protect more than 1,600 historic buildings and 13 individual landmarks.
• Together, the districts make up 1.9% of the city's land area and 7.15% of all property parcels.
• About 6% of Lakeland's population lives in a historic district.

Historic Preservation Resources

• Historic District Summaries
• Design Guidelines
• Interactive Map of Lakeland's Historic Districts
• Printable Map of Lakeland's Historic Districts
• A Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Lakeland
• Metal Roofs: Dos and Don'ts

The Lake Mirror Promenade was designed by New York architect Charles Leavitt and dedicated in 1928. It was the first public structure in Lakeland to be named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Built in 1901, the classic Craftsman bungalow at 319 Lake Avenue is one of Lakeland's cherished "Century Homes."

The iconic Southgate Shopping Center arch was built in 1957. Designed by architect Donovan Dean, it is 70 feet tall and includes 67 tons of steel. (Photo by Karen Moore Vintage Sign Photography)

Lake Morton Resurvey is Complete!

The resurvey of the East and South Lake Morton Historic Districts has been completed and a final report issued by the City’s consultant, PaleoWest LLC. As a planning and maintenance tool, the periodic resurvey of established historic districts allows the period of significance of an established district to be expanded, newer structures to be included as contributing resources, and existing contributing buildings to be reassessed, which furthers the protection of historic buildings. 

• What is the purpose of the survey?
  • Identify, document, and evaluate all historic resources constructed before 1974 (50 years of age) within the East and South Lake Morton Historic Districts, including any potential historic resources immediately adjacent to the Historic Districts’ boundaries.
  • Create an updated inventory of historic resources in the respective districts including building addresses, architectural styles, construction dates, recommended individual NRHP eligibility, and recommended contributing or non-contributing status.
  • Analyze results for recommendations of possible district boundary amendments, potential new designations, and expansion of district periods of significance.
• What are the results of the survey?
  • Survey field work occurred October 10-14, 2022.
  • 1,042 historical resources were documented, with 341 newly recorded resources and 701 updated (previously recorded) resources.

   

  Results by District

  East Lake Morton Historic District

  • 300 properties were documented; total of 292 recommended as contributing.
  • 157 of 158 previously recorded resources are recommended as contributing. 913 Vistabula St. (PO03474) is now recommended as non-contributing.
  • 135 of 142 newly recorded resources are recommended as contributing.
  • One additional resource (PO09587 - Florida Citrus Mutual Building) was documented adjacent to the ELM boundary and recommended for inclusion in ELM as a contributing building.
  • 35 resources previously recorded have been demolished.

   

  South Lake Morton Historic District

  • 739 properties were documented; total of 697 recommended as contributing.
  • 528 of 541 previously recorded resources are recommended as contributing; 13 previously recorded contributing resources have lost integrity due to alteration and are recommended as non-contributing.
  • 169 of 198 newly recorded resources recommended as contributing.
  • 39 resources previously recorded have been demolished.
• What are the recommendations as a result of the survey?
  • Pursue boundary amendments to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)-listed East and South Lake Morton Historic District boundaries to match the locally listed boundaries:
    • In the East Lake Morton Historic District, adjust the northern and northwestern boundaries to include the Florida Citrus Mutual Building.
    • In the South Lake Morton Historic District, adjust northeastern, northwest, and southern district boundaries
  • Expand the ELM period of significance from 1900–1940 to 1900–1973. (NRHP amendment)
  • Expand the SLM period of significance from 1904–1935 to 1900–1973. (NRHP amendment)
  • Amend the Criteria for which the South Lake Morton Historic District is listed in the NRHP to include Criteria A and B in addition to Criterion C. (NRHP amendment)
  • Add PO09587 - Florida Citrus Mutual Building to the ELM NRHP and Local designations as a contributing resource. Also individually eligible for NRHP listing.
• How can I find out if my home is a contributing historic structure or not?

  Look up your home address here.

• What are the benefits of this project?

  The results of this resurvey serve as an archival record of the East Lake Morton and South Lake Morton Historic Districts at the time of the survey. The historical overview contained in the Final Report provides a historical and developmental context for each historic district and presents context for resources constructed after the district's current periods of significance. This survey provides a foundation for amending the NRHP-listed East Lake Morton and South Lake Morton Historic Districts to reflect changes in the built environment. Ultimately, this work forms the basis for future preservation efforts in the East Lake Morton and South Lake Morton Historic Districts.

• What is the background of this project?

  A long-term goal of the City’s Historic Preservation Board, efforts to resurvey the City’s historic districts began in 2021. In 2022, The City of Lakeland was awarded a $50,000 matching grant from the Florida Division of Historical Resources to help fund Phase 1 of an expected three-phase project to resurvey all seven of Lakeland’s historic districts. The resurvey plan is as follows:

  • Phase 1 (FY 22) – East Lake Morton and South Lake Morton – Completed March 2023
  • Phase 2 (FY 24) – Dixieland and Downtown/Munn Park
  • Phase 3 (FY 26) – Beacon Hill, Biltmore-Cumberland, and Lake Hunter Terrace

  PaleoWest, LLC, a cultural resources management consultant based in St. Petersburg, conducted the Phase 1 resurvey and created the final report and recommendations based on their research and findings.

• What will change if my home is identified as “contributing”?

  Not much. Chances are, if your home is recognized as a contributing structure, it’s because you appreciate its history and have taken good care to maintain its original architectural features. The classification officially recognizes the historic qualities that you already value. All structures in historic districts, both contributing and non-contributing, are subject to design review. The only difference is that the Design Review Committee and its staff will want to ensure that future modifications are compatible not only with the district as a whole, but also consistent with the Design Guidelines for Historic Properties.

• If my house is not identified as “contributing,” can I appeal the decision?

  No. You can contact Emily Foster at the City of Lakeland and ask what the surveyors noted about your address. Fortunately, all property owners in historic districts benefit equally from designation, regardless of an individual property’s status.

• If my house is identified as “contributing,” can I decline the classification?

  No. The classification of buildings as contributing and non-contributing within a historic district is a technical responsibility of the Historic Preservation Board, which is delegated to credentialed, professional staff and consultants. Assigning these statuses without bias or an “opt-in/opt-out” from individual property owners ensures the full historic and architectural integrity of the district.

The Polk County Tax Collector's Office Lakeland Service Center is a celebration of art-deco style. It was built in 1953 as a Publix grocery store.

Lake Mirror Tower was originally built in 1926 as the New Florida Hotel. The eight-story structure was purchased by the City of Lakeland and renovated in 2004. It now has 76 apartments.

The Keslinger Antiques Complex on N. Kentucky Avenue has housed a number of businesses over the years before becoming part of the Lakeland Antiques District. It was built in 1925 and renovated in 1987.