Lakeland, Florida Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}} {{Infobox settlement <!-- Basic info ----------------> | name = Lakeland, Florida | official_name = | nickname = Swan City<ref>{{Cite news|last=Crosby|first=Kristin|date=August 30, 2016|title=Swan City|work=Lakelander|url=https://thelakelander.com/swan-city/|access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref> | settlement_type = [[City (Florida)|Florida]] | motto = <!-- images and maps -----------> | image_skyline = Downtownlakeland fl.JPG | imagesize = | image_caption = Downtown Lakeland | image_flag = Lakeland Flag.png | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_type = | blank_emblem_size = | image_map = Polk_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Lakeland_Highlighted.svg | mapsize = 250x200px | map_caption = Location in [[Polk County, Florida|Polk County]] and the state of [[Florida]] <!-- Location ------------------> | subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] | subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Florida]] | subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Florida|County]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Polk County, Florida|Polk]] <!-- Politics -----------------> | government_footnotes = | government_type = [[Council-manager government|Commission-Manager]] | leader_title = [[List of mayors of Lakeland, Florida|Mayor]] | leader_name = Bill Mutz | leader_title1 = [[City Manager]] | leader_name1 = Shawn Sherrouse | established_title = Settled | established_date = c. 1870s<ref name="monument"/> | established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (town) --> | established_date2 = | established_title3 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] | established_date3 = January 1, 1885 <!-- Area ---------------------> | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 31, 2021}}</ref> | area_total_sq_mi = 75.30 | area_land_sq_mi = 66.29 | area_water_sq_mi = 9.01 | area_water_percent = 10.9 | area_metro_sq_mi = <!-- Population -----------------------> | population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]] | population_footnotes = | population_demonym = Lakelander | population_note = | population_total = 112641 | population_density_km2 = 656.09 | population_density_sq_mi = 1699.27 | population_urban = 277,915 ([[List of United States urban areas|US: 147th]])<ref name="urban area">{{cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/29/2022-28286/2020-census-qualifying-urban-areas-and-final-criteria-clarifications|title=2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications|author=United States Census Bureau|website=Federal Register|date=December 29, 2022}}</ref> | population_density_urban_km2 = 735.3 | population_density_urban_sq_mi = 1,904.4 | population_metro = 725,046 ([[Metropolitan statistical area|US: 80th]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html |title=Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2021 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 2, 2023}}</ref> | population_density_metro_sq_mi = <!-- General information ---------------> | timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]] | utc_offset = −5 | timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] | utc_offset_DST = −4 | coordinates = {{coord|28|03|20|N|81|57|16|W|region:US-FL|display=it}} | elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> | elevation_ft = 203 <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> | postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]s | postal_code = 33801–33815 | area_code = [[Area code 863|863]] | blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] | blank_info = 12-38250<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> | blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID | blank1_info = 2404873<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404873}}</ref> | website = [https://www.lakelandgov.net/ www.lakelandgov.net] | footnotes = | pop_est_as_of = | pop_est_footnotes = | population_est = | area_total_km2 = 195.02 | area_land_km2 = 171.69 | area_water_km2 = 23.34 }} '''Lakeland''' is a city in [[Central Florida]]. Located along [[Interstate 4]] east of [[Tampa]] and west of [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], it is the [[List of municipalities in Florida|most populous city]] and county seat in [[Polk County, Florida]], [[United States]]. As of the 2020 [[U.S. Census Bureau]] release, the city had a population of 112,641.<ref name="USCensus2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/lakelandcityflorida|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref> Lakeland is a principal city of the [[Lakeland–Winter Haven metropolitan area|Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. The town is sometimes locally referred to by the nickname "Swan City" due to its sizeable population of swans, all of whom are descendants of two mute swans given to Lakeland by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. Lakeland is the founding city and [[corporate headquarters]] of [[Publix]], a supermarket chain. European-American settlers arrived in Lakeland from Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina in the 1870s. The city expanded in the 1880s with the arrival of rail service, with the first [[freedmen]] railway workers settling here in 1883.<ref name="monument">[http://www.theledger.com/news/20180505/confederate-vets-former-slaves-form-lakelands-history Kimberly C. Moore, "Confederate vets, former slaves form Lakeland’s history"], ''The Ledger'', 09 May 2018; accessed 27 June 2018</ref> They and European immigrants also came because of land development opportunities with farming, citrus, cattle and [[phosphate]] industry developing. Lakeland is home to the {{convert|1,267|acre||adj=mid| [[Circle B Bar Reserve]]}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Circle B Bar Reserve|url=https://polknature.com/explore/circle-b-bar-reserve|access-date=2021-10-29|website=Default|language=en}}</ref> ==History== <!-- ===Timeline=== {{hidden begin |title = Timeline of Lakeland, Florida |titlestyle = background:#F8F8FF;width:90% }} * 1884 ** [[South Florida Railroad]] begins operating{{sfn|Federal Writers' Project|1939}} ** [[Freedmen]] establish St. John's Baptist Church in what would come to be called the Moorehead community south of Lake Wire<ref name="monument"/> ** Town [[plat]]ted on land of [[Abraham Munn]]<ref name=Viva /> * 1885 – Town of Lakeland [[Local government in the United States|incorporated]] on January 1, 1885. Kentucky businessman, Abraham Munn, who had purchased 80 acres of land in what is now downtown Lakeland in 1882 and platted the land for the town the previous year. He donated the land and money to build the first railroad depot in Lakeland which helped boost transportation and enterprise<ref>{{citation |url=https://localgov.fsu.edu/readings_papers/Boundaries%20of%20Government/Munincipal_Incorporations_in_Florida.pdf |year=2001 |title=Overview of Municipal Incorporations in Florida |author=[[Florida Legislature|Florida Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations]] |location=Tallahassee |series=LCIR Report |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428092419/https://localgov.fsu.edu/readings_papers/Boundaries%20of%20Government/Munincipal_Incorporations_in_Florida.pdf |archive-date=April 28, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> * 1891 – Electric lighting introduced<ref name=Viva>{{cite web |url=http://vivafl500.org/find-a-city/ |title= Lakeland |work=Viva Florida: History Happened Here |publisher=Florida League of Cities |location=Tallahassee |access-date= April 21, 2017 }}</ref> * 1894 ** [[Acton, Florida|Acton]] becomes part of Lakeland{{sfn|Hellmann|2006}} ** "Freeze damages [[Citrus production|citrus]] crops"{{sfn|Hellmann|2006}} * 1900 – Population: 1,180<ref name=census1905>{{citation |chapter=Population of Cities and Towns |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rn0zAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA186 |title=Census of the State of Florida...1905 |year = 1906|publisher=Capital Pub. Co. |location=Tallahassee }}</ref> * 1904 – Fire<ref name=Viva /> * 1905 – Population: 3,299<ref name=census1905 /> * 1910 – [[Munn Park Historic District|Munn Park]] and the Confederate monument were dedicated * 1911 – ''Lakeland Evening Telegram'' [[List of newspapers in Florida|newspaper]] begins publication<ref name=LOC>{{cite web |url= http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/titles/results/?city=Lakeland&rows=50&state=Florida&page=1&sort=date |title=US Newspaper Directory |location=Washington DC |work=[[Chronicling America]] |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date= April 21, 2017 }}</ref> * 1912 – Auditorium built<ref name=Viva /> * 1913 – City Hall built * 1915 – ''Lakeland Morning Star'' [[List of newspapers in Florida|newspaper]] begins publication<ref name=LOC /> * 1916 – Morrell Memorial [[List of hospitals in Florida|Hospital]] opens<ref name=Viva /> * 1921 – William Bowles was the last of 20 African-American men [[Lynching in the United States|lynched in the county]] since Reconstruction; he had allegedly insulted a white woman<ref name="polk">[http://www.theledger.com/news/20180505/lynchings-klan-activity-part-of-polks-history Kimberly C. Moore, "Lynchings, Klan activity part of Polk’s history"], ''The Ledger'', 07 May 2018</ref> * 1922 – [[Florida Southern College]] relocates to Lakeland{{sfn|Federal Writers' Project|1939}} * 1924 – Lakeland Terrace Hotel in business<ref name=CityTimeline /> * 1925 – [[Henley Field Ball Park]] opens * 1928 – Lakeland Theatre in business<ref name=cinema /> ** – The first high school is opened for Mooreland black students<ref name="monument"/> * 1930 – Population: 18,554 * 1933 – Junior Welfare League of Lakeland formed<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jlgl.org/about/history/ |title= History |publisher=[[Junior League]] of Greater Lakeland |access-date= April 21, 2017 }}</ref> * 1935 – [[Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God]] established{{sfn|Hellmann|2006}} * 1936 – WLAK [[List of radio stations in Florida|radio]] begins broadcasting<ref name=Radio1964>{{citation |title=Yearbook of Radio and Television |oclc=7469377 |year=1964 |publisher= Radio Television Daily |location=New York |chapter= United States AM Stations: Florida |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/r00radi#page/180/mode/2up |via=Internet Archive }} {{free access}}</ref> * 1937 – Roxy Theatre in business (approximate date)<ref name=cinema /> * 1941 – ''[[Lakeland Ledger]]'' newspaper begins publication<ref name=LOC /> * 1949 – [[WONN]] [[List of radio stations in Florida|radio]] begins broadcasting<ref name=Radio1964 /> * 1953 – Filmland Drive-In cinema in business<ref name=cinema>{{cite web |url= http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/united-states/florida/lakeland?status=all |title=Movie Theaters in Lakeland, FL |work=CinemaTreasures.org |publisher= Cinema Treasures LLC |location=Los Angeles |access-date= April 21, 2017 }}</ref> * 1957 – [[WWAB]] [[List of radio stations in Florida|radio]] begins broadcasting<ref name=Radio1964 /> * 1960 – [[Lakeland Flying Tigers|Lakeland Indians]] baseball team formed * 1966 – [[Joker Marchant Stadium]] opens * 1967 – Much of the Moorehead community is displaced as city uses eminent domain to buy property for civic center and later Veterans Memorial Park<ref name="monument"/> * 1977 – "It [[Snow in Florida|snows]] in Lakeland"<ref name=CityTimeline /> * 1980 – Population: 47,406 * 1988 – [[Lakeland Square Mall]] in business<ref name=CityTimeline /> * 1990 – Population: 70,576 * 1993 ** [[George Jenkins High School]] opens<ref name=CityTimeline /> ** International Sport Aviation Museum established<ref name=aaslh2002>{{cite book |title=Directory of Historical Organizations in the United States and Canada |year=2002 |edition=15th |isbn=0759100020 |author= American Association for State and Local History |chapter=Florida |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LY0Q5Rv4O3YC }}</ref> * 1998 – Lakeland.net website online (approximate date)<ref>{{cite web |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/19980109095102/http://city.lakeland.net/ |url-status= dead |url= http://city.lakeland.net:80/ |archive-date= January 9, 1998 |title= Lakeland.net |via= Internet Archive, [[Wayback Machine]] |df= mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20000824034412/http://officialcitysites.org/Florida/Cities/L/ |url= http://officialcitysites.org:80/Florida/Cities/L/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= August 24, 2000 |title= United States of America: Florida |work= Official City Sites |editor1= Kevin Hyde |editor2= Tamie Hyde |location= Utah |oclc= 40169021 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> * 2004 – August: [[Hurricane Charley]] occurs{{sfn|Hellmann|2006}} * 2005 – Lakeside Village shopping center in business<ref name=CityTimeline /> * 2009 – Gow Fields was elected as Lakeland's first African-American mayor<ref name="monument"/> * 2010 – Population: 97,422<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045216/1238250,00 |title= Lakeland city, Florida |work=QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=April 21, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://edr.state.fl.us/Content/area-profiles/index.cfm |work=2010 Census Detailed City Profiles |author1=[[Florida Legislature|Florida Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research]] |author2=U.S. Census Bureau |year=2011 |title= City of Lakeland }}</ref> * 2014 – [[Florida Polytechnic University]] opens<ref name=CityTimeline>{{cite web |url=http://www.lakelandgov.net/libraryspecialcollections/special-collections-home/lakeland-timeline |title=Lakeland Timeline |author=Lakeland Public Library |publisher=City of Lakeland |access-date= April 21, 2017 }}</ref> * 2020 – Population: 112,641 * 2021 – September: A shooting and subsequent [[shootout]] occurs in Lakeland, killing four people and injuring a fifth, and resulting in the arrest of a suspect<ref>{{Cite news|title=A Florida Gunman Killed 4, Including A Mother Who Was Still Cradling Her Baby|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/09/05/1034474532/a-florida-gunman-killed-4-including-a-mother-who-was-still-cradling-her-baby|access-date=2021-09-06|newspaper=NPR|date=September 5, 2021|language=en}}</ref> * 2022 – Opening of Bonnet Springs Park {{hidden end}} --> ===Early history=== [[File:Lakeland fl.jpg|thumb|right|Lakeland's business district, early 1920s]] [[File:Lakeland Cox School01.jpg|thumb|The John F. Cox Grammar School opened in 1925, now re-purposed as the clinic for Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine]] In the 18th century Native Americans groups, collectively called "[[Seminole]]s", moved into the areas left vacant. In 1823, the United States and the various tribes in Florida signed the [[Treaty of Moultrie Creek]], which created a reservation in central Florida that included what is now Polk County.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mahon|first=John K.|title=History of the Second Seminole War 1835–1842|year=1985|publisher=University of Florida Press|location=Gainesville, Florida|isbn=0-8130-1097-7|edition=Revised|pages=2–8, 18–37}}</ref> Starting in 1832, the United States government tried to move the Seminoles in Florida west to the [[Indian Territory]]. Most of the Seminoles resisted, resulting in the [[Second Seminole War]], 1835–1842. By the end of that war, most of the Seminoles had been sent west, with a few remnants pushed well south of what is now Polk County.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mahon|first=John K.|title=History of the Second Seminole War 1835–1842|year=1985|publisher=University of Florida Press|location=Gainesville, Florida|isbn=0-8130-1097-7|edition=Revised|pages=317–318}}</ref> ===Statehood and the 19th century=== Florida became a state in 1845, and Polk County was established in 1861. After the [[American Civil War]], the county seat was established southeast of Lakeland in [[Bartow, Florida|Bartow]]. While most of Polk County's early history centered on the two cities of Bartow and [[Fort Meade, Florida|Fort Meade]], eventually, people entered the areas in northern Polk County and began settling in the areas which became Lakeland.<ref name="Brown-2001">{{Cite book|last=Brown|first=Canter Jr.|title=In the midst of all that makes life worth living : Polk County, Florida, to 1940|publisher=Sentry Press|year=2001|isbn=9781889574127|location=Tallahassee, Fla.|language=English}}</ref> Lakeland was first settled in the 1870s, and began to develop as the [[railroad|rail lines]] reached the area in 1884. [[Freedmen]] settled here in 1883, starting development of what became the [[African-American neighborhood]] of Moorehead. Lakeland was incorporated January 1, 1885. The town was founded by [[Abraham Munn]] (a resident of [[Louisville, Kentucky]]), who purchased {{convert|80|acre|m2|abbr=on}} of land in what is now downtown Lakeland in 1882 and [[plat]]ted the land for the town in 1884. Lakeland was named for the many lakes near the town site.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FLROAAAAIBAJ&pg=1418%2C2813009 | title=Polk towns named from various sources | work=Lakeland Ledger | date=July 8, 1987 | access-date=June 6, 2015 | author=Sawyer, Martha F. | pages=5C}}</ref> In April 1898, the [[Spanish–American War]] began and started a crucial point in Lakeland's development. While the war ended quickly and had little effect on most of the nation, the Florida peninsula was used as a launching point for military forces in the war. The then small town of Lakeland housed over 9,000 troops. The [[10th Cavalry Regiment]], one of the original [[Buffalo Soldier]] regiments, were housed on the banks of Lake Wire.<ref name="Spanish American War">{{cite web| url=http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/pdf/june03.pdf| page=6| title=Spanish American War| date=June 2003| access-date=September 26, 2010|work=Polk County Historical Quarterly|volume=30|issue=1|publisher=Polk County Historical Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402101638/http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/pdf/june03.pdf|archive-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref> Soon after being stationed there, the black troops faced conflict with the local white population. In one event, a local druggist refused to sell to black soldiers and an argument ensued which eventually escalated to the point where the druggist brandished a pistol. The soldiers shot the druggist before he could fire, which resulted in two of the troops being arrested.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Knetsch |first1=Joe |title=Florida in the Spanish-American War |date=2011 |publisher=The History Press |location=Charleston, SC |isbn=9781609490881 |pages=131–132}}</ref> ===The Florida Boom and the 20th century=== [[File:Florida - Lakeland - NARA - 23936679 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|View of Lakeland, April 1922]] [[File:Florida - Lakeland - NARA - 23936675 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Factory under construction, August 1941]] The Florida boom resulted in the construction of many significant structures in Lakeland, a number of which are now listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. This list includes the Terrace Hotel, New Florida Hotel (Regency Tower, currently Lake Mirror Tower), [[Polk Theatre and Office Building|Polk Theatre]], [[Frances Langford Promenade]], [[Polk Museum of Art]] (not a product of the 1920s boom), Park Trammell Building (formerly the [[Lakeland Public Library]] and today the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce), and others. The city also has several historic districts that have many large buildings built during the 1920s and 1940s. The [[Cleveland Indians]] held spring training there from 1923 to 1927 at [[Henley Field Ball Park]]. Parks were developed surrounding Lake Mirror, including Barnett Children's Park, Hollis Gardens, and the newest, Allen Kryger Park.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lake Mirror Complex|url=https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/parks-recreation/lake-mirror-complex/|access-date=2021-10-29|website=City of Lakeland|language=en}}</ref> The "boom" period went "bust" quickly, and years passed before the city recovered. Part of the reemergence was due to the arrival of the [[Detroit Tigers]] baseball team in 1934 for spring training. The Tigers still train at Lakeland's [[Joker Marchant Stadium]] and own the city's [[Minor League Baseball|Class A]] [[Florida State League]] team, the [[Lakeland Flying Tigers]]. In the mid-1930s, the [[Works Progress Administration]] built the [[Lodwick Field|Lakeland Municipal Airport]].<ref name="Brown-2001" /> In 1938, [[Florida Southern College]] President [[Ludd M. Spivey|Ludd Spivey]] invited architect [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] to design a "great education temple in Florida."<ref name="www.bostonglobe.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2014/10/25/frank-lloyd-wright-fla-campus/hnSzBNZNmLsB17705tRbSM/amp.html|title=Frank Lloyd Wright's Fla. campus – The Boston Globe|website=www.bostonglobe.com|language=en|access-date=2017-04-01}}</ref> Wright worked on the project for over 20 years as Spivey found ways to fund it and find construction workers during [[World War II]].<ref name="www.bostonglobe.com" /> Wright's original plan called for 18 structures; in total he designed 30, but only 12 were completed.<ref name="MacDonald-2007">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EZi_CEycn2cC&q=frank+lloyd+wright+child+of+the+sun&pg=PA126|title=The Buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright at Florida Southern College|last1=MacDonald|first1=Randall M.|last2=Galbraith|first2=Nora E.|last3=Rogers|first3=James G.|date=2007-01-01|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=9780738552798|language=en}}</ref> Wright's [[Textile block house|textile block]] motif is used extensively on the campus. The concrete blocks he used are in need of restoration.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/new-frank-lloyd-wright-house-constructed-florida-southern#stream/0|title=New Frank Lloyd Wright House Constructed at Florida Southern|last=Sussingham|first=Robin|access-date=2017-04-01|language=en}}</ref> Wright titled the project ''Child of the Sun'', describing his Florida Southern buildings as being "out of the ground, into the light, a child of the sun."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/architectureoffr0003stor|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/architectureoffr0003stor/page/252 252]|quote=wright out of the ground into the light child of the sun.|title=The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright: A Complete Catalog|last1=Storrer|first1=William Allin|last2=Wright|first2=Frank Lloyd|date=2002-04-15|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=9780226776224|language=en}}</ref> It is the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the world, and attracts 30,000 visitors each year.<ref name="MacDonald-2007" /> In 1975, the "Florida Southern Architectural District" was added to the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="MacDonald-2007" /> In 2012, Wright's campus was designated as a [[National Historic Landmark]] by the [[National Park Service]]. ===World War II=== At the beginning of [[World War II]], the Lakeland School of [[Aeronautics]]—headquartered at the recently built [[Lakeland Municipal Airport]]—became part of a nationwide network of civilian [[flight school]]s enjoined for the war effort by the [[United States Army Air Corps]].<ref name="LEDGER" /> Between 1940 and 1945, more than 8,000 Army Air Corps and [[United States Army Air Forces|Army Air Forces]] [[cadet]]s trained on two-seater [[Boeing-Stearman Model 75|Stearman PT-17]] and PT-13 [[biplane]]s at the school (renamed the Lodwick School of Aeronautics in the midst of this period).<ref name="LEDGER">{{Cite news|url=http://www.theledger.com/news/20110206/flight-cadets-attended-lakeland-school-of-aeronautics|title=Flight Cadets Attended Lakeland School of Aeronautics|last=LEDGER|first=GARY WHITE THE|work=The Ledger|access-date=2017-04-01|language=en}}</ref> From June 1941 until October 1942, 1,327 British [[Royal Air Force]] cadets trained at the Lakeland facility.<ref name="LEDGER"/> The Lodwick School of Aeronautics closed in 1945. The airport ceased flight operations in the 1960; the site has since then housed the [[Detroit Tigers]]' "Tiger Town" baseball complex.<ref name="LEDGER"/> ==Geography== According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|67|sqmi|km2|1|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|45.84|sqmi|km2|1|abbr=on}} is land and {{convert|5.61|sqmi|km2|1|abbr=on}} (10.90%) is covered by water. Lakeland is within the Central Florida Highlands area of the [[Atlantic coastal plain]], with a terrain consisting of flatland interspersed with gently rolling hills.<ref name="Florida's Geological History">{{cite web | url = http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw208 | title = Florida's Geological History | access-date = October 14, 2010 | publisher = University of Florida }}</ref> ===Lakes=== [[File:Lakeland FLAUSA lake Mirror.jpg|thumb|right|Lake Mirror Park in downtown Lakeland, with surrounding City Hall and Lakeland Terrace Hotel]] The dominant feature in Lakeland is the city's many lakes. Thirty-eight lakes are named, with a number of other bodies of water unnamed, mostly phosphate mine pits that eventually filled with water.<ref>{{cite web|title=Measurement of Recovery in Lakes Following Phosphate Mining|url=http://www1.fipr.state.fl.us/fipr/fipr1.nsf/129fc2ac92d337ca85256c5b00481502/9a9af43eaa9607f885256b2f0051be61/$FILE/03-045-039Final.pdf|publisher=Florida Institute of Phosphate Research|access-date=February 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222004307/http://www1.fipr.state.fl.us/fipr/fipr1.nsf/129fc2ac92d337ca85256c5b00481502/9a9af43eaa9607f885256b2f0051be61/$FILE/03-045-039Final.pdf|archive-date=February 22, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Frequently Asked Questions|url=http://www.lakelandgov.net/libraryspecialcollections/SpecialCollectionsHome/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.aspx|publisher=Lakeland, Florida|access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> The largest of these is [[Lake Parker, Florida|Lake Parker]], which is {{convert|2550|acre|km2|abbr=on}} in size. Much of the culture of Lakeland revolves around its many lakes, and many people use the lakes as reference points in much the same way people in other towns use streets as reference points, such as "I live near Lake Beulah." In addition to Lake Parker, some of the more prominent lakes in the Lakeland area are [[Lake Hollingsworth]], [[Lake Morton (Florida)|Lake Morton]], Lake Mirror, and [[Lake Gibson (Florida)|Lake Gibson]]. [[Swan]]s are one of the most visible features on the lakes near downtown Lakeland. They have a long history, the first swans appearing around 1923. By 1954, the swans were gone, eradicated by [[alligator]]s and pets. A Lakeland resident who mourned the passing of the swans wrote to [[Queen Elizabeth II]]. The [[royal family]] allowed the capture of two of the royal swans, and the swans now on the lakes of Lakeland are the descendants of the one surviving royal swan sent by the Queen.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Story Map Journal|url=https://lakelandflorida.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=7fb4f159b1d34663834098c1e940458a|access-date=2021-10-29|website=lakelandflorida.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> In July 2006, Scott Lake, one of the city's lakes, was almost totally drained by a cluster of [[sinkholes]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060623/NEWS/606230389/1039 |title=The Lake is Dry |work=[[The Ledger]] |author=Diane Lacey Allen |date=June 23, 2006 |access-date=November 25, 2007}}</ref> Later the lake partially refilled.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,205444,00.html |title=Florida Lake Swallowed by Sinkhole Reappearing |agency=Associated Press |date=July 25, 2006 |access-date=November 25, 2007}}</ref> ===Climate=== Lakeland, like most other parts of Florida north of [[Lake Okeechobee]], is in the [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] zone ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''Cfa''). Typically, summers are hot and humid with high temperatures seldom dropping below 90 °F and 70 °F for the overnight low. Like most of Central Florida, afternoon thunderstorms are the norm throughout the summer. Winters in Lakeland are drier and warm, with frequent sunny skies. High temperatures range in the mid 70s during the day, with lows in the 50s. Cold snaps drop temperatures below freezing twice a year on average. {{Weather box|width=auto |location = Lakeland, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present |single line = Y |Jan avg record high F = 83.1 |Feb avg record high F = 85.2 |Mar avg record high F = 87.9 |Apr avg record high F = 91.5 |May avg record high F = 95.2 |Jun avg record high F = 96.2 |Jul avg record high F = 96.3 |Aug avg record high F = 96.0 |Sep avg record high F = 94.3 |Oct avg record high F = 91.4 |Nov avg record high F = 87.2 |Dec avg record high F = 83.8 |year avg record high F = 97.3 | Jan high F = 73.7 | Feb high F = 76.7 | Mar high F = 80.2 | Apr high F = 85.1 | May high F = 89.5 | Jun high F = 91.3 | Jul high F = 92.1 | Aug high F = 92.2 | Sep high F = 90.3 | Oct high F = 85.9 | Nov high F = 79.8 | Dec high F = 75.6 |year high F = 84.4 |Jan mean F = 62.2 |Feb mean F = 65.0 |Mar mean F = 68.3 |Apr mean F = 73.2 |May mean F = 78.2 |Jun mean F = 81.8 |Jul mean F = 83.2 |Aug mean F = 83.3 |Sep mean F = 81.7 |Oct mean F = 76.4 |Nov mean F = 69.2 |Dec mean F = 64.8 |year mean F = 73.9 | Jan low F = 50.6 | Feb low F = 53.3 | Mar low F = 56.5 | Apr low F = 61.4 | May low F = 66.9 | Jun low F = 72.3 | Jul low F = 74.2 | Aug low F = 74.4 | Sep low F = 73.1 | Oct low F = 66.9 | Nov low F = 58.6 | Dec low F = 53.9 |year low F = 63.5 |Jan avg record low F = 31.2 |Feb avg record low F = 34.7 |Mar avg record low F = 39.7 |Apr avg record low F = 47.9 |May avg record low F = 57.2 |Jun avg record low F = 66.8 |Jul avg record low F = 69.9 |Aug avg record low F = 70.3 |Sep avg record low F = 66.6 |Oct avg record low F = 51.7 |Nov avg record low F = 42.0 |Dec avg record low F = 35.5 |year avg record low F = 29.3 |Jan record high F = 91 |Feb record high F = 90 |Mar record high F = 92 |Apr record high F = 96 |May record high F = 103 |Jun record high F = 105 |Jul record high F = 102 |Aug record high F = 100 |Sep record high F = 98 |Oct record high F = 96 |Nov record high F = 93 |Dec record high F = 89 |year record high F = |Jan record low F = 20 |Feb record low F = 24 |Mar record low F = 25 |Apr record low F = 35 |May record low F = 47 |Jun record low F = 56 |Jul record low F = 64 |Aug record low F = 63 |Sep record low F = 61 |Oct record low F = 38 |Nov record low F = 28 |Dec record low F = 20 |year record low F = |precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation inch = 2.99 | Feb precipitation inch = 2.33 | Mar precipitation inch = 3.06 | Apr precipitation inch = 2.82 | May precipitation inch = 3.80 | Jun precipitation inch = 8.69 | Jul precipitation inch = 8.85 | Aug precipitation inch = 9.08 | Sep precipitation inch = 7.62 | Oct precipitation inch = 3.04 | Nov precipitation inch = 1.93 | Dec precipitation inch = 2.61 |year precipitation inch = 56.82 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in | Jan precipitation days = 6.9 | Feb precipitation days = 6.4 | Mar precipitation days = 5.4 | Apr precipitation days = 5.4 | May precipitation days = 7.8 | Jun precipitation days = 16.5 | Jul precipitation days = 19.0 | Aug precipitation days = 18.7 | Sep precipitation days = 14.9 | Oct precipitation days = 7.5 | Nov precipitation days = 5.1 | Dec precipitation days = 7.1 | year precipitation days = 120.7 |Jan snow inch = |Feb snow inch = |Mar snow inch = |Apr snow inch = |May snow inch = |Jun snow inch = |Jul snow inch = |Aug snow inch = |Sep snow inch = |Oct snow inch = |Nov snow inch = |Dec snow inch = |year snow inch = |unit snow days = 0.1 in |Jan snow days = |Feb snow days = |Mar snow days = |Apr snow days = |May snow days = |Jun snow days = |Jul snow days = |Aug snow days = |Sep snow days = |Oct snow days = |Nov snow days = |Dec snow days = |year snow days = |source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web | url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=tbw | title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] | access-date = May 23, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00084802&format=pdf | title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] | access-date = May 23, 2021 }}</ref> }} ==Demographics== {{US Census population |1890= 552 |1900= 1180 |1910= 3719 |1920= 7062 |1930= 18554 |1940= 22068 |1950= 30851 |1960= 41350 |1970= 42803 |1980= 47406 |1990= 70576 |2000= 78452 |2010= 97422 |2020= 112641 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> }} ===2010 and 2020 census=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Lakeland, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small> !Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lakeland city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US1238250&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 26, 2024}}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lakeland city, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1238250&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 26, 2024}}</ref> !{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lakeland city, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1238250&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 26, 2024}}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !{{partial|% 2020}} |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH) |54,555 |61,468 |style='background: #ffffe6; |61,372 |69.54% |63.09% |style='background: #ffffe6; |54.48% |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH) |16,500 |19,788 |style='background: #ffffe6; |20,963 |21.03% |20.31% |style='background: #ffffe6; |18.61% |- |[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH) |176 |253 |style='background: #ffffe6; |258 |0.22% |0.26% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.23% |- |[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH) |1,040 |1,717 |style='background: #ffffe6; |2,437 |1.33% |1.76% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.16% |- |[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]] (NH) |35 |62 |style='background: #ffffe6; |55 |0.04% |0.06% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05% |- |[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Some other race]] (NH) |92 |167 |style='background: #ffffe6; |613 |0.12% |0.17% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.54% |- |[[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races/Multiracial]] (NH) |1,022 |1,696 |style='background: #ffffe6; |4,241 |1.30% |1.74% |style='background: #ffffe6; |3.77% |- |[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race) |5,032 |12,271 |style='background: #ffffe6; |22,702 |6.41% |12.60% |style='background: #ffffe6; |20.15% |- |'''Total''' |'''78,452''' |'''97,422''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''112,641''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |- |} As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 112,641 people, 41,750 households, and 24,433 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES – 2020: Lakeland city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Lakeland+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 26, 2024}}</ref> As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 97,422 people, 40,529 households, and 24,654 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES – 2010: Lakeland city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Lakeland+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 26, 2024}}</ref> Between 2008–2012, the per capita income was $23,817 and the median household income was $40,284. Persons below the poverty line in 2008–2012 were 17.5% according to the US Census.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/1238250.html|title=Lakeland (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau|work=census.gov|access-date=December 10, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712181124/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/1238250.html|archive-date=July 12, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ===2000 census=== As of 2000, 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39% were individuals and nontraditional families. About 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.82. In 2000, the city the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 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 of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males. In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $16,119, and for a family was $17,468. Males had a median income of $14,137 versus $9,771 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,760. About 47% of families and 35% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 97% of those under age 18 and 9% of those age 65 or over. ===Languages=== As of 2000, those who spoke only [[English language|English]] at home accounted for 91% of all residents, while 9% spoke other languages at home. The most significant were [[Spanish language|Spanish]] speakers who made up 6.4% of the population, while [[German language|German]] came up as the third-most spoken language, which made up 0.8%, and [[French language|French]] was fourth, with 0.5% of the population.<ref>[http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&SRVY_YEAR=2000&geo=&state_id=12&county_id=&mode=&lang_id=&zip=&place_id=38250&cty_id=®ion_id=&division_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r&pc=1 Modern Language Association Data Center Results of Lakeland, Florida].</ref> ===Religion=== [[File:Pfeiffer Chapel HABS, FLA,53-LAKE,1A-14.jpg|thumb|right|Annie Pfeiffer Chapel]]In 1913, the Wolfson family arrived from [[Lithuania]] and became the first [[Jewish people|Jewish]] settlers to the area.<ref name="First Jewish Settlers">{{cite web |url = http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/pdf/sept02.pdf |page = 1 |title = First Jewish Settlers |date = October 2002 |access-date = September 26, 2010 |publisher = Polk County Historical Association |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110727183406/http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/pdf/sept02.pdf |archive-date = July 27, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> After some struggles, the Jewish community in Lakeland flourished and the first synagogue, Temple Emanuel opened in 1932.<ref name="Temple Emanuel History">{{cite web |url = http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/pdf/sept02.pdf |title = Temple Emanuel History |date = October 2002 |access-date = September 26, 2010 |publisher = Billy. |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110727183406/http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/pdf/sept02.pdf |archive-date = July 27, 2011}}</ref> The [[Rohr Jewish Learning Institute]] presents classes and seminars in Lakeland in partnership with Chabad of Lakeland.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Steve|first1=Steiner|title=Two-part seminar to examine torture, negotiating|url=http://yoursun.com/sunnews/bartow/9583283-699/story.html.csp|agency=The Polk County Democrat|date=August 2015}}</ref> Lakeland is home to the Swaminarayan [[Hindu Temple]], which was established in 2005.<ref name="Religion in Polk">{{cite web | url = http://www.theledger.com/article/20080316/NEWS/803160428?p=3&tc=pg | title = Religion in Polk | access-date = September 26, 2010 | publisher = Lakeland }}</ref> In 1994, the first and only [[mosque]] in the county was established. It was called Masjid Aisha, but is now called the Islamic Center of Lakeland.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} Christianity makes up the largest religious group in Lakeland. As of 2013, an estimated 300 churches existed with an address in the city.<ref name="Counting Lakeland's Churches">{{cite web | url = http://defendersoftherealm.net/hpincket/lakeland-churches/ | title = Churches in Lakeland, FL | access-date = December 2, 2013 }}</ref> ==Economy== [[File:Publix Corporate Headquarters Main Entrance Sign, Lakeland Florida.jpg|thumb|[[Publix]] headquarters]] Lakeland is the largest city on Interstate 4 between Orlando and Tampa. Large industries in the Lakeland area are citrus, cattle, and [[phosphate mining]]. In the past few decades, tourism, medicine, insurance, transportation, and music have grown in importance. Citrus growing dates back to the early settlers who planted trees in the area, in the 1850s. After a series of freezes in counties north of Polk County, the area became the focal point for citrus growing in Florida. Although citrus is no longer the largest industry in the area, it still plays a large part in the economy of Lakeland and Polk County. Phosphate mining is still important to the economy of Lakeland, although most of the mining now takes place farther south. The [[Bone Valley]] produced 25% of the U.S. phosphate supply. Lakeland's largest employer is [[Publix Super Markets]].<ref name="Lakeland Demographics Guide 2010">{{cite web |url = http://www.lakelandgov.net/home_images/2010%20demograhpic%20atlas%20proof.pdf |title = Lakeland Demographics Guide 2010 |access-date = September 18, 2010 |publisher = City of Lakeland |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110105010829/http://www.lakelandgov.net/home_images/2010%20demograhpic%20atlas%20proof.pdf |archive-date = January 5, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Publix is one of the largest regional grocery chains in the United States with over 1,200 stores across the [[American South]]. Publix employs over 6,500 people in the Lakeland area including headquarter and warehouse employees. Lakeland is a transportation hub. [[FedEx|FedEx Freight and FedEx Services]] and the Saddle Creek Corporation employ over 600 people in the area.<ref name="Lakeland Demographics Guide 2010"/> Other large employers in the area include [[Amazon.com|Amazon]],<ref name="Amazon opening">{{cite news|last1=Brinkman|first1=Paul|title=Amazon welcomes employees in Lakeland; drones in India?|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-amazon-employees-lakeland-drones-india-20140821-post.html|access-date=November 20, 2016|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=August 21, 2014}}</ref> [[GEICO]], [[Rooms To Go]], and Lakeland Regional Health.<ref name="LDC Employer listing">{{cite web|title=LAKELAND, FL AREA TOP 30 MAJOR EMPLOYERS|url=http://www.lakelandedc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/top-30.pdf|publisher=Lakeland Development Council|access-date=May 6, 2019}}</ref> ==Culture== The Lakeland History Room is a special collections archive established in 1987 housed within the [[Lakeland Public Library]]'s main branch. The Lakeland History Room maintains the City's collection of historical materials as well as other locally relevant collections composed of documents, photographs, maps, building plans, audio/visual media, scrapbooks, specialty items like citrus crate labels, artwork, yearbooks, posters, and postcards.<ref name="City of Lakeland">{{Cite web|title=Lakeland History Room|url=https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/library/lakeland-history-room/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=City of Lakeland|language=en}}</ref> The LHR maintains a large digital collection with over 7,000 images of the city of Lakeland, its landmarks, significant historical moments, cultural institutions, and prominent citizens.<ref name="City of Lakeland" /> The LHR provides one-on-one assistance with historic research, a history lecture series with prominent local historians, a DIY Digitizing Lab for personal material preservation, and genealogical programs and resources.<ref name="City of Lakeland" /> In 2019, an initiative led by Lakeland City Commissioner Phillip Walker, was first presented to the City Commission to create the City's first History and Culture Center. The project was unanimously approved by the Commission and funds were allocated for the project's construction; although, the exhibit's content design would be funded by local donations and grant funding.<ref name="City of Lakeland-2">{{Cite web|title=Lakeland History & Culture Center|url=https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/library/lakeland-history-culture-center/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=City of Lakeland|language=en}}</ref> An advisory committee made up of educators, city officials, local business owners, and civic and community leaders, led by former Mayor [[Gow Fields]], was established to organize and advise the City in the design, content, and construction of the exhibit.<ref name="City of Lakeland-2" /> The [[Lakeland Public Library]] was eventually chosen as the location of the future exhibit space due to its central location within the city, its status as a community hub, and because it was the current home of the city's local archive, the Lakeland History Room, which would be expanded into the Lakeland History and Culture Center. Construction on the project is currently underway and it is unknown when the project will be completed.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} ===Historic districts=== [[File:Lakeland Munn Park Hist Dist01.jpg|thumb|right|Munn Park]] * [[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=== [[File:CenterState Bank Building Century Plaza.JPG|thumb|right|[[Century Plaza, Lakeland, FL|Century Plaza]] in downtown Lakeland.]] [[File:Lakeland Lake Mirror Promenade05.jpg|thumb|right|Frances Langford Promenade]] {{Div col|colwidth=30em}} * [[Central Avenue School (Lakeland, Florida)|Central Avenue School]] * [[Cleveland Court School]] * [[Florida Southern College]] * [[John F. Cox Grammar School]] * [[Lakeland Center]] * [[Lakeland Square Mall]] * [[Lakeside Village (Lakeland)|Lakeside Village]] * [[Old Lakeland High School]] * [[State Road 570 (Florida)|James Henry Mills Medal of Honor Parkway]] * [[Oates Building]] * [[Polk State College]] * [[Polk Museum of Art]] * [[Polk Theatre and Office Building|Polk Theatre]] * [[Southeastern University (Florida)]] * [[USA International Speedway]] * [[Florida Polytechnic University]] * [[Winston School (Lakeland, Florida)|Winston School]] * [[Without Walls Central Church]] – a local/regional [[megachurch]] * [[Silvermoon Drive-in]] * Bonnet Springs {{div col end}} ===Libraries=== {{Div col|colwidth=30em}} *[[Lakeland Public Library]] *Larry R. Jackson Branch Library *eLibrary South Lakeland {{div col end}} ==Sports== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Club !! Sport !! Founded !! Current league !! Stadium |- | [[Lakeland Flying Tigers]] | [[Baseball]] | 1963<ref>{{cite web|title=Club Information|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Lakeland&state=FL&country=US|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref> | [[Florida State League]] | [[Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium]] |- | [[Florida Complex League Tigers]] | Baseball | 1995{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} | [[Florida Complex League]] | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium |- | [[Lakeland Magic]] | [[Basketball]] | 2017<ref name="firsteight">{{cite news |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-seek-to-bring-d-league-team-to-florida-20160106-story.html |title=Orlando Magic begin process of bringing D-League team to Florida |access-date=August 4, 2017|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]}}</ref> | [[NBA G League]] | [[RP Funding Center]] |- | [[Florida Southern Moccasins|Florida Southern Mocs]] | Multi-sport | 1883 | [[NCAA Division II|NCAA DII]] | George W. Jenkins Field House<br>[[Henley Field]]<br>Moccasin Field |- | [[Southeastern Fire]] | Multi-sport | 2014<ref>{{cite web |url=http://footballscoop.com/news/video-programs-first-game-every-look-like/|title=This is what a program's first home game ever should look like|publisher=FootballScoop.com|access-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref> | [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] | Victory Field<br>The Furnace<br>Ted A. Broer Stadium |- | [[Caledonia SC]] | [[Soccer]] | 2022 | [[USL League Two]] | |- | [[Lakeland Tropics]] | [[Soccer]] | 2017<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lakelandtropics.com/news/tropics-sliwa-as-coach-will-play-at-bryant-stadium|title=Tropics will play at Bryant Stadium; Dr. Panagiotis Iakovidis is majority owner|publisher=LakelandTropics.com|access-date=January 11, 2018|date=February 7, 2017}}</ref> | [[United Premier Soccer League|UPSL]] | [[Bryant Stadium]] |- | Lakeland United FC | [[Soccer]] | 2022 | [[United Premier Soccer League|UPSL]] | |- | [[Florida Tropics SC]] | [[Indoor soccer]] | 2016<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fltropics.com/news/florida-tropics-sc-join-major-arena-soccer-league|title=Florida Tropics SC Join Major Arena Soccer League|publisher=FLTropics.com|access-date=August 29, 2017|date=August 29, 2017}}</ref> | [[Major Arena Soccer League]] | RP Funding Center |- | [[Lakeland Renegades]] | [[Rugby league]] | 2019 | [[USA Rugby League]] | [[All Saints' Academy (Florida)|All Saints' Academy]] |- | [[Lakeland NightShade]] | [[eSports]] |2019<ref>{{cite web|title=Club Information|url=https://twitter.com/GGNightshade/status/1190695148738494464|website=Twitter.com|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> | [[Florida eSports League]] | |} ===Stadiums=== {{Main|Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium}} [[Joker Marchant Stadium]], north of downtown, hosts [[spring training]] for the [[Detroit Tigers]], as well as their [[Lakeland Flying Tigers]] class-A [[Florida State League]] and [[Gulf Coast League Tigers|GCL Tigers]] rookie-league [[Gulf Coast League]] [[minor league baseball]] teams. {{Main|RP Funding Center}} [[RP Funding Center]] is also home to two indoor sports teams. The [[Lakeland Magic]] is a basketball team playing in the [[NBA G League]] and is an affiliate of the [[Orlando Magic]]. The [[Florida Tropics SC]] is an [[indoor soccer]] team playing in the [[Major Arena Soccer League]]. The Tropics organization also operates an outdoor team, the Lakeland Tropics, which competes in the [[Premier Development League]]. The [[Florida Tarpons]] were an [[Indoor American football|indoor football]] team playing in the [[American Arena League]] for one season after relocating from [[Estero, Florida]]. ===History of sports teams=== In the 1980s, the Lakeland Center briefly played host to the indoor version of the [[Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975–93)|Tampa Bay Rowdies]] [[indoor soccer|soccer]] team. The Lakeland Center has also hosted a few hockey teams, the Lakeland Ice Warriors, the Lakeland Prowlers, and the Lakeland Loggerheads. The [[United States Basketball League]] once had a team here as well called the [[Lakeland Blue Ducks]]. [[Sun 'n Fun]] was home to Lakeland's only [[roller derby]] league, the [[Lakeland Derby Dames]]; however, the team was dissolved in November 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roller derby is back in Lakeland|url=http://www.theledger.com/sports/20160720/roller-derby-is-back-in-lakeland|website=TheLedger.com|access-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref> The Lakeland Center also hosts the [[Florida High School Athletic Association]]'s state basketball finals. ==Government and politics== [[Image:Lakeland Munn Park Hist Dist Old City Hall03.jpg|thumb|right|Former Lakeland city hall, built 1913]] Lakeland is governed by a six-member city council. Four members are elected from [[single-member district]]s; the other two are elected [[at-large]], requiring them to gain a majority of the votes. The mayor is elected. ===Mayor=== The City of Lakeland was incorporated on January 1, 1885. The mayor is one of seven members of the City Commission, acting as the board chair and performing mostly ceremonial and procedural duties beyond the powers of the other six. Prior to 1988, the City Commission selected Lakeland's mayor from among its members. Mayors can be on the board for up to 12 years in a lifetime, or 16 years in combination with holding a regular commission position. Lakeland's first mayor was J.W. Trammell. The first female mayor was Lois Q. Searl, who served in 1965. The 1970 municipal election placed the first African-American on the City Commission, Dr. [[John S. Jackson (Florida politician)|John S. Jackson]].<ref>{{Cite news|first= Garth|last=Germond |authorlink= |title= Jackson Wins Runoff for City Commission Post |newspaper=[[The Tampa Tribune ]]|date= November 27, 1968|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune/135396400/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> In 1972, he became the first black mayor for the city. In 1980, [[Carrie R. Oldham]] became Lakeland's first African-American female mayor. Since 1988, the mayor has been elected by the city's voters. ===Mayors of Lakeland=== {| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=70% align="left" |- ! style="background:#F5DEB3"| <small>Mayors of Lakeland, Florida</small> |- | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! Image ! Mayor ! Years ! Notes |- style="height:2em" |- | | John W. Trammell | 1885 | |- | | John D. Torrence | 1885 | |- | | Eppes C. Tucker Sr. | 1886–1888 | 3 terms |- | | Napoleon B. Bowyer | 1889–1890 | 2 terms |- | [[File:Herbert J. Drane.jpg|100px]] | [[Herbert J. Drane]] | 1888–1892 | <ref name=Graveyard>{{cite web |url= http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/FL/ofc/lakeland.html |title=Mayors of Lakeland, Florida |editor=[[Lawrence Kestenbaum]] |work=[[Political Graveyard]] |access-date= April 21, 2017 }}</ref> |- | | ? | – | |- | | J. T. Park | 1894 | |- | | Clarence A. Boswell | 1894–1896 | |- | | James P. Thompson | 1897 | |- | | Samuel L.A. Clonts | 1898 | |- | | C. M. Marsh | 1898 | |- | | James P. Thompson | 1899 | |- | [[File:Park Trammell.jpg|75px]] | [[Park Trammell]] | 1900–1902 | <ref name=Graveyard /> |- | | Samuel L.A. Clonts | 1903–1904 | <ref name=Graveyard /> |- | | John F. Cox | 1905–1907 | |- | | ? | 1908 | |- | | John S. Edwards | 1909 | |- | | William K. Jackson | 1910 | |- | | John F. Cox | 1911 | |- | | Samuel L.A. Clonts | 1912 | |- | | Oscar M. Eaton | 1913–1915 | |- | | John F. Cox | 1916–1917 | |- | | Edwin C. Flanagan | 1918–1919 | |- | | Frank H. Thompson | 1920 | |- | | Hubert C. Petteway | 1921 | |- | | J.T. Hodges | 1922–1923 | <ref>{{cite book |title=Lakeland and Polk County Directory |publisher=[[R.L. Polk & Co.]] |url= https://archive.org/details/polkslakelandpol1923rlpo |year=1923 |chapter=City Government |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/polkslakelandpol1923rlpo#page/30/mode/2up |via=[[Internet Archive]] }} {{free access}}</ref> |- | | Daniel C. Boswell | 1924 | |- | | John W. Buchanan Jr. | 1925 | |- | | J. Bunyan Smith | 1926 | |- | | William S. Rodgers | 1927 | |- | | Jesse F. Council | 1927–1928 | |- | | William S. Rodgers | 1927 | |- | | William F. Reid | 1928 | |- | | Charles I. Dwiggins | 1929 | |- | | H. Dean Grady | 1930–1931 | |- | | William F. Reid | 1931 | |- | | H. Dean Grady | 1930–1931 | |- | | Benjamin M. Pulliam | 1932 | |- | | Elijah A. Godwin | 1933 | |- | | Edward L. Mack | 1934 | |- | | Elijah A. Godwin | 1935 | | |- | | George W. Mershon | 1936 | |- | | H. Clay Haynes | 1937 | <ref name=Graveyard /> |- | | Lutie M. Koons | 1938 | |- | | Thomas D. Conter | 1939 | |- | | Ira C. Hopper | 1940 | |- | | George J. Tolson | 1941 | |- | | Elmer E. Kelly Jr. | 1942 | |- | | Horace W. Gibson | 1943 | |- | | George J. Tolson | 1944 | |- | | William Cade | 1945 | |- | | Edwin C. Flanagan Jr. | 1946 | |- | | George J. Tolson | 1947 | |- | | William Cade | 1948 | |- | | Clinton V. McClurg | 1948 | |- | | Ernest B. Sutton | 1949 | |- | | Guerry L. Dobbins | 1950 | |- | | Clayton Logan | 1951 | <ref name=Graveyard /> |- | | James J. Musso | 1952 | <ref name=Graveyard /> |- | | Norman T. Kent | 1953 | <ref name=Graveyard /> |- | | Wilbur Y. Wooten | 1954 | <ref name=Graveyard /> |- | [[File:Scottkelly10211963.jpg|75px]] | [[Scott Kelly (politician)|S. Scott Kelly]] | 1955 | <ref name=Graveyard /> |- | | Mac H. Cunningham | 1956 | |- | | Earl W. Bowen | 1957 | |- | | James J. Musso | 1958 | |- | | William M. Hollis | 1958 | |- | | R. Tom Joyner Jr. | 1959 | <ref name=Graveyard /> |- | | William G. Cooper Jr. | 1960 | |- | | Reuben H. Gibson | 1961 | |- | | Morris J. Pritchard | 1962 | |- | | William H. Lofton | 1963 | |- | | R. Harold Grizzard | 1964 | |- | | James R. West | 1965 | |- | | Lois Q. Searl | 1965 | |- | | John H. Woodall Jr. | 1966 | |- | | W. Jack Day | 1967 | |- | | George W. Trask | 1968–1969 | |- | | Marvin H. Henderson Jr. | 1970 | |- | | Joe P. Ruthven | 1971 | |- | | Charles E. Whitten | 1972 | |- | [[File:John S. Jackson, mayor of Lakeland Florida.jpg|75px]] | [[John S. Jackson (Florida politician)|John S. Jackson]] | 1972–1973 | first African-American mayor |- | | George W. Trask | 1974 | |- | | W. Carl Dicks | 1975 | |- | | Peggy C. Brown | 1976 | |- | [[File:Charles A. Coleman, mayor of Lakeland Florida.jpg|75px]] | [[Charles A. Coleman]] | 1977 | 2nd African-American mayor |- | | John Tolson | 1977 | |- | | Curtis I. Walker | 1978 | |- | | George R. Burt | 1979 | |- | | [[Carrie R. Oldham]] | 1980 | first African-American female mayor |- | | R. Larry Turnipseed | 1981 | <ref>{{Cite news|first=Dan |last=Guido |authorlink= |title= Larry Turnipseed - Got Involved in Politics to Repay the People of Lakeland |newspaper=[[Tampa Times|The Tampa Times]]|date=August 20, 1981|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-times/139248802/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> |- | | J. Larry Durrence | 1982 | |- | | Frank J. O'Reilly | 1983 | |- | | Peggy C. Brown | 1984 | |- | | Thomas R. Shaw | 1985 | |- | | J. Larry Durrence | 1986 | |- | | Frank J. O'Reilly | 1987 | |- | | Willie J. Williams | 1988 | 4th African-American mayor |- | | ? | 1989–1993 | |- | [[File:Ralph (Buddy) Fletcher, mayor of Lakeland Florida.jpg|75px]] | [[Buddy Fletcher (politician)|Buddy Fletcher]] | 1993–2009 | |- | [[File:Gow Fields, mayor of Lakeland Florida.jpg|75px]] | [[Gow Fields]] | 2010–2014 | first African-American mayor elected in the city |- | | R. Howard Wiggs | 2014–2018 | <ref name=WFTS2014>{{citation |title=Howard Wiggs defeats Gow Field in race for Lakeland mayor |date=November 5, 2013 |work= [[WFTS-TV|WFTS]] |publisher=[[E.W. Scripps Co.]] |url=http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-polk/lakeland/howard-wiggs-defeats-gow-field-in-race-for-lakeland-mayor }}</ref> |- | | Bill Mutz | 2018–present | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lakelandgov.net/government/mayor-city-commission/mayor-bill-mutz/|title=Mayor Bill Mutz|website=City of Lakeland|language=en|access-date=2018-07-11}}</ref> |- |} {{end}} {{clear}} ===Law enforcement=== On September 28, 2006, Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Vernon "Matt" Williams and his K-9 partner Diogi were shot and killed after a routine traffic stop in the Wabash area of Lakeland. More than 500 police officers from a variety of law enforcement agencies joined in a search for Angilo Freeland, suspected of murdering Williams and stealing his gun. Freeland was found hiding in a rural area the next morning. Nine officers from five different law enforcement agencies surrounded Freeland and shot him when he raised Williams' stolen gun at them. A total of 110 shots were fired, and Freeland was hit 68 times, killing him instantly.<ref name="Waddell">{{cite magazine | last = Waddell | first = Lynn | title = 68 Bullets | magazine = Newsweek | date = October 13, 2006 | url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2006/10/13/68-bullets.html}}</ref><ref name="autopsy">{{cite web | title = Autopsy: Officers fired 110 rounds at man suspected in cop's death | publisher = Sunbeam Television Corp. | date = September 30, 2006 | url = http://www1.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI30139/ | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131113120847/http://www1.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI30139/ | archive-date = November 13, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Multiple investigations concluded the officers' use of force was justified.<ref>{{cite web | last = Walter | first = Shoshana | title = Killer's Civil Rights Not Violated, Panel Says | publisher = TheLedger.com | date = June 5, 2008 | url = http://www.theledger.com/article/20080605/NEWS/806050510?p=1&tc=pg&tc=ar}}</ref> Deputy Williams and Diogi were laid to rest on October 3, 2006, after a funeral that included a one-hour-and-45-minute procession to [[Auburndale, Florida|Auburndale]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Stegall | first = Sarah | title = Thousands Turn Out to Say 'Thank You' | publisher = TheLedger.com | date = October 4, 2006 | url = http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061004/NEWS26/610040399}}</ref> In 2021, the Lakeland Police Department hired numerous former NYPD officers. Two of the new hires failed to disclose that they had been disciplined by the NYPD, and one new hire used to work in the NYPD's notorious anti-crime units which were disbanded after high-profile scandals.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Elder|first=Elise|date=2021-11-22|title=Former NYPD officers in Florida heralded by DeSantis include surprises|url=https://www.wuft.org/news/2021/11/22/former-nypd-officers-in-florida-heralded-by-desantis-include-surprises/|access-date=2021-11-24|website=WUFT News|language=en-US}}</ref> ==Education== The 28 elementary schools, seven middle schools, six traditional high schools, and three magnet-choice high schools in the Lakeland area are run by the [[Polk County School Board]]. ===Traditional public high schools=== {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * [[Mulberry Senior High School]] * [[George W. Jenkins High School]] * [[Kathleen High School (Lakeland, Florida)|Kathleen High School]] * [[Lake Gibson High School]] * [[Lakeland Senior High School (Lakeland, Florida)|Lakeland Senior High School]] * [[Tenoroc High School]] {{div col end}} ===Magnet high schools=== {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * Central Florida Aerospace Academy * [[Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts]] * [[Collegiate High School (Lakeland, Florida)|Polk State College Lakeland Collegiate High School]] {{div col end}} ===Traditional public middle schools=== {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * Kathleen Middle School * Lake Gibson Middle School * Crystal Lake Middle school * Sleepy Hill Middle School * Lakeland Highlands Middle School * Southwest Middle School {{div col end}} ===Magnet middle schools=== {{Div col|colwidth=30em}} *Lawton Chiles Middle School *[[Rochelle School of the Arts]] (elementary and middle) {{div col end}} ===Charter schools=== {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} *[[McKeel Academy of Technology]] * Lakeland Montessori Schoolhouse * Lakeland Montessori Middle School * Lakeland Collegiate High school * Magnolia Montessori Academy {{div col end}} ===Private schools=== {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} *Calvary Baptist Church Academy *Geneva Classical Academy *Heritage Christian Academy *Lakeland Christian Preparatory School *[[Collegiate High School (Lakeland, Florida)|Lakeland Christian School]] *Parkway Christian Academy *Resurrection Catholic School *[[Santa Fe Catholic High School]] *Sonrise Christian School *St Anthony *St Joseph *St Lukes *St Paul Lutheran School *Victory Christian Academy *Excel Christian Academy {{div col end}} ===Colleges and universities=== {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} *[[Florida Polytechnic University]] *[[Florida Southern College]] *[[Florida Technical College]] *[[Keiser University]] *[[Webster University]] *[[Polk State College]] *[[Southeastern University (Florida)|Southeastern University]] *[[Whitefield Theological Seminary]] {{div col end}} [[File:Florida Polytechnic University (25811685378).jpg|thumb|249x249px|The IST building of Florida Polytechnic University]] A number of opportunities exist for higher education around the Lakeland area. [[Southeastern University (Florida)|Southeastern University]] is the largest university in the area, with undergraduate enrollment around 6200.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/southeastern-university-1521|title=Southeastern University - Profile, Rankings and Data|website=US News Best Colleges|access-date=May 16, 2019}}</ref> Southeastern is affiliated with the [[Assemblies of God]]. [[Florida Southern College]], established in 1883 and with a current undergraduate enrollment of just over 2600,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/florida-southern-college-1488|title=Florida Southern College - Profile, Rankings, and Data|website=US News Best Colleges|access-date=May 16, 2019}}</ref> is on [[Lake Hollingsworth]]. Florida Southern is the home of the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. In July 2008, the University of South Florida's Lakeland campus was granted partial autonomy by Governor [[Charlie Crist]] and became Florida Polytechnic University. Florida Polytechnic (FLPoly) is just inside the Lakeland's northeast border at the intersection of I-4 and Polk Parkway. They also have some administrative offices on the campus of [[Polk State College]] on Winter Lake Road. FLPoly is focused on STEM degree programs, such as engineering and computer science.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://floridapolytechnic.org/about/|title=About Florida Polytechnic University|newspaper=Florida Polytechnic University|language=en-US|access-date=January 30, 2017}}</ref> Both [[Everest University]] and [[Keiser University]], two multisite, accredited universities, have locations in Lakeland. Traviss Career Center is a [[vocational school]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.traviss.edu/ |title=Traviss Career Center | Lakeland, Florida |publisher=Traviss.edu |access-date=November 1, 2012}}</ref> [[Webster University]] offers on-site, regionally accredited graduate degree programs in business and counseling at their Lakeland Metropolitan Campus<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webster.edu/lakeland|title=Lakeland|work=webster.edu|access-date=December 10, 2014}}</ref> ==Media== {{see also|List of newspapers in Florida|List of radio stations in Florida|List of television stations in Florida}} Polk County is within the Tampa Bay television market. [[Charter Spectrum]] is the cable television franchise serving Lakeland, which offers most television stations from the Tampa Bay market, as well as [[WFTV]], the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate from Orlando. [[WMOR-TV]], an [[Independent station (North America)|independent television station]], is licensed to Lakeland, with its studios in Tampa and its transmitter in [[Riverview, Florida|Riverview]]. Lakeland and Polk County are within its own radio market. Local radio stations include: {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * [[WLKF]] 1430 AM * [[WONN]] 1230 AM * [[WWAB]] 1330 AM * [[WPCV]] 97.5 FM * [[WWRZ]] 98.3 FM {{div col end}} [[WLLD]] 94.1 FM is licensed to Lakeland, but has wider focus on the Tampa Bay area, with studios in [[St. Petersburg, Florida|St. Petersburg]]. [[WKES]] 91.1 FM is also licensed to Lakeland as part of the statewide [[Moody Radio]] Florida network, with studios in [[Seminole, Florida|Seminole]], near St. Petersburg. Most major stations from Tampa Bay and a few from Orlando are also available. Print media include ''[[The Ledger]]'', a local newspaper owned by [[Gannett]]. Patterson Jacobs Media Group publishes a magazine, ''The Lakelander''. [https://www.lkldnow.com/ LkldNow] is a nonprofit digital news organization that covers Lakeland news. ==Infrastructure== ===Transportation=== Because Lakeland is the largest city on [[Interstate 4]] between Tampa and Orlando, the city is an important transportation hub. The county nickname, Imperial Polk County, was coined because a large bond issue in 1914 enabled wide roads between the cities of Polk County.<ref name="Why Iperial Polk">{{cite web |url = http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=8&nav=res&id=122 |title = Why Imperial Polk |access-date = September 10, 2010 |publisher = Polk County Website |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101129074342/http://polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=8&nav=res&id=122 |archive-date = November 29, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The important freeways and highways in Lakeland today are: * {{jct|state=FL|I|4}} ([[Interstate 4]]) is the main interstate in central Florida linking Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, and Daytona Beach. * {{jct|state=FL|Toll|570}} (or [[Polk Parkway]]), is a tolled beltway around Lakeland, with both ends terminating at Interstate 4. Although its shape, location, and tolls makes it impractical as a "bypass" road, it is useful as a way of getting from part of town to another and providing access to I-4 from most parts of the city. * {{jct|state=FL|US|92}}, following Memorial Boulevard for most of the city, was the route leading to both Tampa and Orlando before I-4 was built; US 92 is still a main road leading to Plant City going west, and Auburndale, Winter Haven, and Haines City going east. * {{jct|state=FL|US|98}}, going south, follows Bartow Road and leads to Bartow, the county seat. Heading north out of town, it provides a route to [[Dade City, Florida|Dade City]]. * {{jct|state=FL|FL|33}}, following mostly rural land, provides access to [[Lake County, Florida|Lake County]] and the [[Florida Turnpike]]. * {{jct|state=FL|FL|37}}, following Florida Avenue, the main north–south route in Lakeland, is also the main road leading south to [[Mulberry, Florida|Mulberry]]. * {{jct|state=FL|FL|540}}, Winter-Lake Road, is in southern Lakeland, leading to Winter Haven and [[Legoland Florida]]. ====Bicycle routes==== In recent years, the Lakeland area has developed a number of paved, multi-use bicycle routes including the [[Lake-To-Lakes Trail]], which runs from [[Lake Parker (Florida)|Lake Parker]] through downtown, past several lakes, ending at Lake John. Other routes include University Trail, which connects [[Polk State College]] to Florida Polytechnic University, and the [[Fort Fraser Trail]], which runs along US Highway 98 from Polk State College to Highway 60 in [[Bartow, Florida|Bartow]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Trails and Facilities|url=http://www.lakelandgov.net/bicycling/trails-facilities|access-date=April 5, 2016}}</ref> ====Public transportation==== [[File:Lakeland FL Amtrak station01.jpg|thumb|Lakeland Amtrak Station]] {{Div col|colwidth=30em}} * [[Lakeland station|Lakeland Amtrak Station]] * [[Lakeland Linder International Airport]] In 2017, Linder received its first international flight and was renamed Lakeland Linder International Airport in 2018.<ref name="LinderInternational">{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Kimberly C |title=Airport director on a mission to bring airline service to Lakeland Linder International Airport |url=http://www.theledger.com/news/20180712/airport-director-on-mission-to-bring-airline-service-to-lakeland-linder-international-airport |access-date=20 July 2018 |newspaper=Lakeland Ledger |date=12 July 2018}}</ref> * Lakeland Greyhound Terminal * [[Citrus Connection]] local bus service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ridecitrus.com/content/interior.asp?section=routes&body=lakeland.htm|title=Citrus Connection|work=ridecitrus.com|access-date=December 10, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215044335/http://www.ridecitrus.com/content/interior.asp?section=routes&body=lakeland.htm|archive-date=December 15, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> {{div col end}} ===Utilities=== Water and wastewater in the Lakeland area is managed by Lakeland Water Utilities, municipal water supply is treated at local water plants, T.B. Williams and C. Wayne Combee. The water is mainly supplied by wells that draw from the [[Floridan aquifer]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Water Utilities|url=https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/water-utilities/|access-date=December 30, 2019}}</ref> Power is generated by a nonprofit public power utility, Lakeland Electric.<ref>{{cite web|title=More About Lakeland Electric|url=https://lakelandelectric.com/our-company|access-date=July 6, 2021}}</ref> Lakeland Electric is a municipal utility and government department of the city of Lakeland, Florida.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/UF/00/00/55/46/00001/FNP%2061.pdf#page=24|title=FNP 61|date=Feb 22, 2002|website=University of Florida Libraries}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.publicpower.org/public-power-florida|website=American Public Power Association|title=Public Power in Florida|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref> Lakeland was the third city in the state of Florida to have electric lighting powered in 1891 by The Lakeland Light and Power Company after Jacksonville and Tampa. Over a decade later in 1904, citizens purchased the private light power plant for $7,500 establishing the locally owned, municipal utility known today as Lakeland Electric.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/library/lakeland-history-room/brief-history-of-lakeland/|title=Brief History of Lakeland|website=lakelandgov.net|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.psc.state.fl.us/Files/PDF/Utilities/Electricgas/TenYearSitePlans/2017/Lakeland%20Electric.pdf#page=11|title=2017 Ten-Year Site Plan: City of Lakeland Historical Background|website=My Florida Public Service Commission|language=en|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20040723/News/608116495/LL|title=Power Pact|website=The Ledger|language=en|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref> ====Power plants==== Lakeland Electric powers the city of Lakeland by two power plants, C.D. McIntosh Power Plant, coal-natural gas combined cycle plant slated to phase out in 2024, and Larsen Memorial. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z1qtvOmFnMMC&q=C.D.+McIntosh+Power+Plant+and+Larsen+Memorial&pg=PA373|title=Inventory of Power Plants in the United States|access-date=2020-02-13|website=Google Books|year=1992}}</ref> The last coal unit at C.D. McIntosh Power Plant is slated to phase out in 2024 a plan presented by the Lakeland Electric staff in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2019/05/lakeland-electric-moves-retire-last-coal-unit-cd-mcintosh-coal-burning-power|title=Lakeland Electric Moves to Retire Last Coal Unit at CD McIntosh Coal-burning Power Plant|date=May 8, 2019|website=Sierra Club}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/environment/os-ne-lakeland-orlando-coal-retirement-20190508-xbgo5ntz2zbjhcveqnwcdu6gwu-story.html|title=Coal power plant in Lakeland, owned by OUC and Lakeland Electric, to be retired|access-date=2020-02-13|website=www.orlandosentinel.com}}</ref> ==Notable people== {{See also|List of people from Lakeland, Florida}} {{div col}} ===Entertainment=== * [[Nat Adderley]], jazz [[cornet]]ist and composer<ref name="NPR's Jazz Profiles">{{cite web | url = https://legacy.npr.org/programs/jazzprofiles/archive/adderley_n.html| title = NPR's Jazz Profiles| access-date = 2010-09-19 | publisher = NPR}}</ref> * [[Lindsey Alley]], [[The Mickey Mouse Club|Mouseketeer]] and actress * [[Bobby Braddock]], record producer in [[List of Country Music Hall of Fame inductees|Country Music Hall of Fame]] * [[Howard J. Buss]], composer<ref name="Composer's Muses Found on Earth, Heavens">{{cite magazine | url = http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=248003| title = Polk Life Magazine| pages=52, 53, and 60 | access-date = 2015-02-25 }}</ref> * [[Charleene Closshey]], film/Broadway actress, musician, and producer * [[Copeland (band)|Copeland]], pop/alternative rock band * [[Jonny Diaz]], Christian musician * [[Samantha Dorman]], ''[[Playboy]]'' [[Playboy Playmate|Playmate]] * [[Rhea Durham]], [[Victoria's Secret]] model * [[Faith Evans]], singer * [[Stephen Baron Johnson]], painter * [[Frances Langford]], singer, actress, and radio star (1930s and 1940s) * [[Neva Jane Langley]], [[Miss America 1953]] * [[Mike Marshall (musician)|Mike Marshall]], bluegrass musician and mandolinist * [[Kara Monaco]], ''Playboy'' Playmate * [[Robert Phillips (Guitarist)|Robert Phillips]], guitarist * [[Lauren Miller Rogen]], actress * [[Forrest Sawyer]], [[NBC]] reporter and anchor * [[SoulJa (rapper)|SoulJa]], rapper * [[Steve1989MREInfo]], YouTube personality * [[J. D. Sumner]], singer and songwriter * [[Dan White (actor)|Dan White]] (1908–1980), American actor in film and television * [[Monte Yoho]], drummer for [[Outlaws (band)|Outlaws]] ===Sports=== * [[George Almones]], NBA Player<ref name="killian" /> * [[Dwayne Bacon]], NBA Player<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nba.com/players/dwayne/bacon/1628407|title = Dwayne Bacon| publisher= NBA|access-date= July 29, 2019}}</ref> * [[Danny Baggish]], pro darts player * [[Andy Bean]], [[PGA Tour]] golfer<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.pgatour.com/players/player.01068.andy-bean.html|title = Andy Bean| publisher= PGA Tour|access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Ahmad Black]], NFL player, Tampa Bay Buccaneers<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1273166/ahmad-black|title = 43 Ahmad Black, DB| publisher= CBSSports.com|access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Keon Broxton]]- [[Milwaukee Brewers]] Center Fielder * [[Desmond Clark]], [[National Football League|NFL]] player, [[Chicago Bears]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=CLARKDES01 |title=Desmond Darice Clark |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=April 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919114300/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=CLARKDES01 |archive-date=September 19, 2010 }}</ref> * [[Lance Davis]], [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] player, [[Cincinnati Reds]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=davisla01|title= Lance Davis Stats |publisher= Baseball Almanac |access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Matt Diaz]], former MLB player <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=diazma02|title= Matt Diaz Stats |publisher= Baseball Almanac |access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Paul Edinger]], NFL player, [[Minnesota Vikings]] and Chicago Bears<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=EDINGPAU01 |title=Paul Edinger |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=April 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922065200/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=EDINGPAU01 |archive-date=September 22, 2012 }}</ref> * [[Justin Forsett]], running back, [[University of California, Berkeley|UC Berkeley]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://highfiveagency.com/speakers/justin-forsett-3/|title=Justin Forsett |website=High Five Agency |access-date=13 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814214815/http://highfiveagency.com/speakers/justin-forsett-3/|archive-date=August 14, 2015}}</ref> * [[Carson Fulmer]], former Vanderbilt baseball player, drafted 8th overall by [[Chicago White Sox]] * [[Kenneth Gant]], NFL safety * [[Ronnie Ghent]], football player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=GhentRon01 |title=Ronnie Ghent |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=April 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530162559/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=GhentRon01 |archive-date=May 30, 2012 }}</ref> * [[Matt Grothe]], quarterback, [[South Florida Bulls football|South Florida Bulls]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/173139/matt-grothe|title = Matt Grothe Stats| work= ESPN.com|access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Nick Patrick (referee)|Nick Hamilton]], pro wrestling referee * [[Killian Hayes]], basketball player<ref name="killian" /> * [[Alice Haylett]], [[All-American Girls Professional Baseball League|AAGPBL]] All-Star pitcher<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.aagpbl.org/profiles/alice-haylett-al/351|title = Alice Haylett| publisher= ALL-AMERICAN GIRLS PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE |access-date= October 20, 2018}}</ref> * [[Drew Hutchison (baseball)|Drew Hutchison]], MLB pitcher * [[Lee Janzen]], PGA Tour golfer, [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] winner<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20080601/News/608147316/LL/|title = Lee Janzen| publisher= The Ledger [Florida] |access-date= October 20, 2018}}</ref> * [[Ray Lewis (American football)|Ray Lewis]], NFL player, [[Baltimore Ravens]], [[Super Bowl]] champion and MVP, 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=LEWISRAY01 |title=Ray Lewis |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=April 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405130709/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=LEWISRAY01 |archive-date=April 5, 2013 }}</ref> * [[Freddie Mitchell]], NFL player, [[Philadelphia Eagles]] and [[Kansas City Chiefs]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MITCHFRE01 |title=Freddie Mitchell |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=April 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420221846/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MITCHFRE01 |archive-date=April 20, 2013 }}</ref> * [[Joe Nemechek]], NASCAR Sprint Cup driver<ref>{{cite web| title=Joe Nemechek |url= https://nemcomotorsports.com/driversteams/joe-nemechek/ |publisher= Nemco Motorsports |access-date= January 28, 2020}}</ref> * [[Joe Niekro]], MLB knuckleball pitcher<ref name="Striketime">{{cite book |last1=Katz |first1=Jeff |title=Split Season: 1981 Fernandomania, the Bronx Zoo, and the Strike that Saved Baseball |date=2015 |isbn=9781250045218 |page=133 |quote=On the lawn of their Lakeland, Florida home, Joe Niekro had time for a father-son catch with his boy Lance}}</ref> * [[Lance Niekro]], MLB player, [[San Francisco Giants]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=niekrla01|title= Lance Niekro Stats |publisher= Baseball Almanac |access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Steve Pearce (baseball)|Steve Pearce]], MLB player, [[Boston Red Sox]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=pearcst01|title= Steve Pearce Stats |publisher= Baseball Almanac |access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Maurkice Pouncey]], NFL player, [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MITCHFRE01 |title=Maurkice Pouncey |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=April 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420221846/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MITCHFRE01 |archive-date=April 20, 2013 }}</ref> * [[Mike Pouncey]], former NFL player<ref>{{cite web|url= http://lakelandfootball.com/mike-pouncey-miami-dolphins/|title = MIKE POUNCEY – MIAMI DOLPHINS| publisher= Lakeland Football|access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Boog Powell]], former MLB player<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=powelbo01|title= Boog Powell Stats |publisher= Baseball Almanac |access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Chris Rainey]], NFL player, Pittsburgh Steelers<ref>{{cite web|url= http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/235222/chris-rainey|title = Chris Rainey Stats| publisher= databaseFootball.com|access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Andrew Reynolds (skateboarder)|Andrew Reynolds]], professional skateboarder<ref name="RVCA">{{cite web |title=Andrew Reynolds |url=https://rvca.com/advocates/skate/andrew-reynolds.html |access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref> * [[Chris Sale]], MLB player, [[Boston Red Sox]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=salech01| title= Chris Sale Stats|publisher=baseball-almanac.com|access-date= November 26, 2012}}</ref> * [[Brenda Sell]], Taekwondo Grandmaster <ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n5UsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4649,4164066&dq=united+states+chung+do+kwan+association&hl=en|title=Lakeland Ledger – Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com|access-date=15 March 2018}}</ref> * [[Rod Smart]], NFL & [[XFL (2001)|XFL]] player <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=SMARTROD01/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204162156/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=SMARTROD01%2F |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2016 |title=Rod Smart |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=November 26, 2012 }}</ref> * [[Donnell Smith]], NFL player, [[Green Bay Packers]] and [[New England Patriots]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=SMITHDON02 |title=Donnell Smith |publisher=databaseFootball.com |access-date=April 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123134724/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=SMITHDON02 |archive-date=January 23, 2013 }}</ref> * [[Ron Smith (wide receiver)|Ron Smith]], NFL player, [[Los Angeles Rams]] * [[Bill Spivey]], basketball player<ref name="killian">{{cite web |last1=Edwards II |first1=James L |title=Inside Killian Hayes' training to become the Pistons' point guard of the future |url=https://theathletic.com/2244436/2020/12/09/killian-hayes-training-pistons-point-guard/ |access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref> * [[Jameson Taillon]], MLB pitcher, [[New York Yankees]] * [[Adarius Taylor]], NFL linebacker * [[Jim Thomas (basketball)|Jim Thomas]], NBA player<ref name="killian" /> * [[Justin Verlander]], MLB pitcher, [[Houston Astros]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theledger.com/sports/20170901/detroit-tigers-trade-lakeland-resident-justin-verlander-to-houston-astros|title= Detroit Tigers trade Lakeland resident Justin Verlander to Houston Astros |newspaper= The Ledger |access-date= October 25, 2017}}</ref> * [[Chris Waters (baseball)|Chris Waters]], former MLB player<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=waterch01|title= Chris Waters Stats |newspaper= The Ledger |access-date= October 25, 2017}}</ref> * [[Brooks Wilson]], MLB pitcher, [[Atlanta Braves]] *[[Alec Asher]], former [[MLB]] baseball player ===Other=== * [[Charles T. Canady]], Chief Justice, Florida Supreme Court<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.floridabar.org/divcom/jn/jnjournal01.nsf/Author/69655ED217F0023E8525778B004BD992|title= Charles T. Canady – Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court|publisher=The Florida Bar Journal |access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Lawton Chiles]], Senator and Governor of [[Florida]]<ref name="Biography of Lawton Chiles">{{cite web | url = http://www.lawtonchiles.org/bio.html| title = Biography of Lawton Chiles| access-date = 2010-09-19| publisher = lawtonchiles.org}}</ref> * [[Carol Jenkins Barnett]], philanthropist and businesswoman, the daughter of George W. Jenkins * [[George W. Jenkins]], founder of [[Publix]] Super Markets<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/10/us/george-jenkins-88-founder-of-9-billion-grocery-chain.html|title= George Jenkins, 88, Founder Of $9 Billion Grocery Chain|newspaper=The New York Times |date= April 10, 1996|access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Floretta Dukes McKenzie]], educator and Superintendent of Washington, D.C. Public Schools * [[R. Albert Mohler Jr.]], president of [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url= http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/october/3.18.html|title= The Reformer|magazine=Christianity Today |access-date= April 14, 2013}}</ref> * [[Marvin Pipkin]], scientist engineer that had many inventions and innovations for the light bulb.<ref>*{{cite book|last=Kane|first=Joseph Nathan |title=Famous First Facts|url=https://archive.org/details/famousfirstfacts0000kane|url-access=registration|year=1964|publisher=H. W. Wilson|quote=The first electric lamp bulb frosted on the inside with sufficient strength for commercial handling was invented by Marvin Pipkin of the Incandescent Lamp Department of the General Electric Company at Nela Park, Ohio. On June 29, 1925, he applied for a patent.}}</ref> * [[Gene Ready]], Florida businessman and state legislator<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lkldnow.com/former-legislator-gene-ready-dies-at-74|title=Former Legislator Gene Ready Dies at 74 – lkldnow|date=15 December 2015|website=lkldnow.com|access-date=15 March 2018}}</ref> * [[Charles Z. Smith]], Associate Justice, Washington State Supreme Court<ref>{{cite web|url=http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/smith.htm|title=Charles Z. Smith|website=depts.washington.edu|access-date=15 March 2018}}</ref> * [[Park Trammell]], Mayor of Lakeland, Florida Attorney General, Governor of Florida and U.S. Senator<ref name="Biographical Directory US Congress">{{cite web| url = http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=t000353| title = Biographical Directory US Congress | access-date = 2010-09-19| publisher = US Congress}}</ref> {{div col end}} ==Sister cities== {{See also|List of sister cities in the United States}}Lakeland Sister Cities International (LSCI), a chapter of Sister Cities International, was formed in 1990 with Lakeland's first sister city Richmond Hill, Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lakelandgov.net/government/sister-cities/|title=Sister Cities|website=City of Lakeland|access-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref> *{{flagdeco|Moldova}} [[Bălți]], [[Moldova]] (since 1997) *{{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Chongming County]], [[Shanghai]], China (since 2007) *{{flagdeco|JPN}} [[Imabari, Ehime|Imabari]], [[Ehime]], Japan (since 1995) *{{flagdeco|Jamaica}} [[Portmore, Jamaica]] (since 2009) *{{flagdeco|CAN}} [[Richmond Hill, Ontario]], [[Canada]] (since 1990) [[File:Lakeland FL Southgate Shopping Center01.jpg|thumb|Southgate Shopping Center]] ==In popular culture== In 1990, Lakeland made its [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]] debut when the Southgate Shopping Center was featured in the movie ''[[Edward Scissorhands]]''. It was also used in the filming of the [[Judd Nelson]] movie ''Endure''.<ref>{{cite web | last = White | first = Gary | title = Lakeland Filmmakers Snag Judd Nelson | publisher = TheLedger.com | date = March 3, 2009 | url = http://www.theledger.com/article/20090303/NEWS/903040302}}</ref> Classrooms from Florida Southern College were used in the [[Adam Sandler]] comedy, ''The Waterboy''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Erickson|first=Stephanie|title=Have any movies been filmed in Polk County?|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2005-10-13/news/SWNEWCOMER13_1_polk-county-edward-scissorhands-johnny-depp|access-date=April 25, 2014|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=October 13, 2005}}</ref> The Lakeland civic center also was the filming location for music video for Little Red Corvette by the musician [[Prince (musician)|Prince]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-14 |title=Swan City meets the big screen: Movies filmed in and around Lakeland |url=https://laltoday.6amcity.com/new-to-lakeland/movies-filmed-lakeland-fl |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=LALtoday |language=en}}</ref> ==See also== {{Portal|Florida}} * [[Loyce Harpe Park]] {{Clear}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Bibliography== <!--arrange in chronological order--> {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book |publisher= [[R. L. Polk & Co.]] |title= Florida Gazetteer and Business Directory 1907–1908 |chapter= Lakeland |year= 1907 |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/floridagazetteer1907rlpo#page/262/mode/2up }} * {{cite book |publisher= R. L. Polk & Co. |title= Florida State Gazetteer and Business Directory |year= 1918 |chapter= Lakeland |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/rlpolkcosflorida01rlpo#page/n655/mode/2up }} * {{cite book |title=Lakeland and Polk County Directory |publisher=R.L. Polk & Co. |url= https://archive.org/details/polkslakelandpol1923rlpo |year=1923 }} {{free access}} * {{cite book |author=[[Federal Writers’ Project]] |title= Florida: a Guide to the Southernmost State |series=[[American Guide Series]] |location=New York |publisher= Oxford University Press |year= 1939 |chapter= Lakeland |pages= 515–518 |isbn= 9781623760090 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=uOnhezTJonkC |via=Google Books | ref = {{harvid|Federal Writers' Project|1939}} }} * {{cite book |title=This Was Yesterday: a History of Lakeland, Florida |publisher=Junior Welfare League of Greater Lakeland |year= 1973 }} * {{cite book |author=Hampton Dunn |title= Yesterday's Lakeland |year=1976 }} * {{cite book |title= Lakeland |author1=Lynn M. Homan |author2= Thomas Reilly |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vxaL9bIfQZMC |series=Images of America |publisher=Arcadia |location=Charleston, South Carolina |isbn= 9780738513980|year= 2001 }} * {{cite book |author=Paul T. Hellmann |title=Historical Gazetteer of the United States |year= 2006 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=1-135-94859-3 |chapter= Florida |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=REtEXQNWq6MC&pg=PA184 | ref = {{harvid|Hellmann|2006}} }} {{refend}} ==External links== {{Sister project links|wikt=no |commonscat=Lakeland, Florida|b=no |n=no |q=no |s=no |v=no |voy=Lakeland (Florida)|species=no |d=no |display= }} * [http://www.lakelandgov.net/ Official website] * [http://www.lakelandchamber.com/ Lakeland Chamber of Commerce] * {{citation |url=http://www.lakelandgov.net/Portals/Library/A%20BRIEF%20HISTORY%20OF%20LAKELAND.pdf |title=Brief History of Lakeland, Florida |work= Lakelandgov.net }} * {{cite web |title=(Lakeland) |work=[[Florida Memory]] |url= https://www.floridamemory.com/solr-search/results/?q=%28Lakeland%20OR%20tt%3ALakeland%5E10%29&query=Lakeland |publisher=Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services }} {{Polk County, Florida}} {{Florida}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Lakeland, Florida| ]] [[Category:1884 establishments in Florida]] [[Category:Cities in Florida]] [[Category:Cities in Polk County, Florida]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1884]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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