National Register of Historic Places

Lake Wales City Hall

Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida
Listed
August 30, 1990
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
90001274

About this property

The Lake Wales City Hall is a historic site in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 152 East Central Avenue. On August 31, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. In 2007, Polk Community College began a $3.6 million renovation of the historic structure, converting it into a modern academic center. When complete in 2009 the building will be outfitted with a 50-seat Student Success Center, one 30-seat computer classroom, four 30-seat general classrooms and a 30-seat classroom/community room, which could be used as a meeting room for local civic groups. The center will initially serve 125 students. At the groundbreaking on May 14, 2007, PCC President Eileen Holden announced that the new 16,000-square-foot (1,500 m2) facility will be called the JD Alexander Center after State Senator Alexander, who was instrumental in securing Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) monies that will fund the renovation of the historic building. PCC plans to partner with the Lake Wales Charter High School to create a "Bridge to College" program and with the Lake Wales Literacy Coalition. The Mediterranean Revival style building opened in 1927. It served as the Lake Wales City Hall until 1998 when offices moved to a new administrative building. A new section was added to the building in 1970, which included a fire station. The old City Hall suffered severe water and wind damage from the 2004 hurricanes. The fire station addition received the most damage. The following year, State Senator J D Alexander was instrumental in securing funds that paved the way for the City to donate the historic building to PCC for use as an academic center. PCC officials have said the remodeling of the building's exterior (windows, roof and brick work) will honor the architectural history to the greatest extent possible. During the final days of 2007, demolition of the interior and exterior of the building was completed. PCC has rented a store across from the Alexander Center. During 2008 it will serve as both a construction office and a welcome center. It will be staffed during normal weekday hours, so residents can visit and receive information about PCC classes and registration.

Location

152 E. Central Ave.
Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida
27.90091, -81.58771

Categories

POLITICS/GOVERNMENTARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Nearby Historic Sites

Lake Wales Commercial Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
Dixie Walesbilt Hotel
Industrial
0.2 mi
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot
Industrial
0.3 mi
First Baptist Church
Industrial
0.3 mi
Lake Wales Historic Residental District
Listed
0.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Lake Wales City Hall listed on the National Register?

Lake Wales City Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 30, 1990.

What type of historic resource is Lake Wales City Hall?

Lake Wales City Hall is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Lake Wales City Hall?

The period of significance for Lake Wales City Hall is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Lake Wales City Hall?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Lake Wales City Hall will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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