I'll begin with the National Register of Historic Districts as our starting point and describe some of the buildings in this area. First is the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot that was completed in 1928. Its architectural style is Mediterranean Revival, a dominant style in Florida during the '20's. The Tampa Theatre, built in the 20's, also boasts the Mediterranean flavor of that decade. Today, this beautifully restored building houses the Depot Museum.
Next along the CSX (railroad) Historic Corridor you'll find the Seaboard Air Line Depot. This small building was originally built in 1916 to handle the rail traffic of that time. In 1975 the depot was given to the city and in 1993 it was moved to its present location. If you're a fan of model railroads, a visit to the depot is a must as it now is home to the train exhibits of the Lake Wales Model Railroad Club.
Continuing along the corridor, our next piece of historic architecture is the Stuart-Dunn-Oliver House built in 1920. Originally owned by E.C. Stuart, one of the founders of the city, this restored home is decorated with period pieces of that time and is open to the public.
The Dixie Walesbilt Hotel was erected in 1926 as one of the first skyscrapers to be built in Florida. The unique three-part design was first seen in the 1850's and the style continued to be popular well into the 1920's.
A tribute to a way of life in Florida during the early 1900's is the family residence of the Bullard family. Built in 1915, The Bullard-Rumfelt House is the one of the oldest homes in the city. Its Colonial Revival design is both decorative and lavish and captures the essence and opulence of that time.
Continuing with the Colonial Revival style is the Tillman-Dowling House built in 1915 for another of the founders of the city, G.V. Tillman. His company was responsible for platting the city itself. If you're looking for a lovely place to stay while visiting Lake Wales, the Tillman-Dowling house is open as a bed & breakfast. I wasn't able to find a working website for the Tillman house but I did find another link that gives the contact information, pricing and a lovely picture. Here's the link: http://www.innsite.com/inns/A004664.html
Go To Page: 1 2
