Lake Wales, Florida
Encyclopedia
Lake Wales is a city in Polk County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 10,194 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 11,802 http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2004-04-12.xls. It is part of the Lakeland
–Winter Haven
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Lake Wales is located in central Florida, west of Lake Kissimmee
and east of Tampa
.
The city of Lake Wales was established near the lake in 1911-12, planned by the Lake Wales Land Company. The spelling Wales was used for the city, although the lake is still generally spelled Lake Wailes.
In 1925 the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
built a new line from Haines City joining lines to Everglades City. A depot was opened on this line at Lake Wales.
In 2004, Lake Wales endured the effects of three hurricanes which came through the area: Hurricane Charley
, Hurricane Francis and Hurricane Jeanne
. The three hurricanes brought hurricane force winds to the Lake Wales area within a space of 44 days.
, a sandy upland area running roughly parallel to both coasts in the center of the peninsula. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 14 square miles (36.3 km²). 13.4 square miles (34.7 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (4.71%) is water.
Lake Wales is located in the humid subtropical zone (Köppen climate classification
: Cfa). In 2004 the eyes of Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne all passed near the town. Virtually all physical damage has been restored.
is a 185 acre (0.7486691 km²) preserve located behind Janie Howard Wilson Elementary School. Grassy Lake is primarily made up of Lake Wales Ridge
scrub land.
is charged with carrying them out. Lake Wales has 5 commissioners representing five different city districts, although they are elected at-large by all city voters. The commissioners are elected for 4 year terms. In 2008, Lake Wales caused somewhat of a stir by electing former Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan
John Paul Rogers as District 5 city commissioner. Ironically, Rogers' campaign manager was an African-American who spearheaded a large absentee ballot drive among elderly blacks to vote for Rogers.
of 2000, there were 10,194 people (2006 Estimate put the population at 13,687, according to the U.S. Census Bureau), 4,044 households, and 2,563 families residing in the city. The population density
was 763.9 inhabitants per square mile (294.8/km²). There were 4,598 housing units at an average density of 344.5 per square mile (133.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.49% White, 34.59% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 3.62% from other races
, and 1.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.95% of the population.
There were 4,044 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples
living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,884, and the median income for a family was $30,029. Males had a median income of $21,809 versus $20,568 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,106. About 36.9% of families and 41.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.2% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.
Bus service is provided to Winter Haven and Frostproof by Winter Haven Area Transit
.
/St. Pete television market, the 13th largest in the country and part of the local Lakeland/Winter Haven radio market, which is the 94th largest in the country.
, Roosevelt Academy Of Leadership And Applied Technology School, and Spook Hill Elementary School are still traditional public schools. Lake Wales Lutheran School, Candlelight Christian Academy, and The Vanguard School are private.
The district is home to 4,675 students: 56.56% White, 31.38% Black, .3% Asians, 11.66% Hispanic and .11% Native America.
Lake Wales is also home to two colleges, Warner University and Webber International University. The J.D. Alexander Center, a satellite campus of Polk State College is located in downtown Lake Wales in 2009.
. Which is 9 miles away from settlement. and Indian Lakes which is 20 miles from settlement. Both are located on Hespersides Road.
Polk County, Florida
Polk County is located in central Florida between the Tampa Bay and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War and named after former United States president James K. Polk. The county seat is Bartow and its...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 10,194 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 11,802 http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2004-04-12.xls. It is part of the Lakeland
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
–Winter Haven
Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Lake Wales is located in central Florida, west of Lake Kissimmee
Lake Kissimmee
Lake Kissimmee is a Florida lake located about 15 miles east of Lake Wales, Florida, USA.Lake Kissimee State Park is rich with wildlife, including bald eagles, white tailed deer, bobcats, turkeys, and sandhill cranes...
and east of Tampa
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
.
History
The land around the present city was surveyed in 1879 by Sidney Irving Wailes, who changed the name of a lake, then known as Watts Lake, to Lake Wailes.The city of Lake Wales was established near the lake in 1911-12, planned by the Lake Wales Land Company. The spelling Wales was used for the city, although the lake is still generally spelled Lake Wailes.
In 1925 the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was an American railroad that existed between 1900 and 1967, when it merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, its long-time rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad...
built a new line from Haines City joining lines to Everglades City. A depot was opened on this line at Lake Wales.
In 2004, Lake Wales endured the effects of three hurricanes which came through the area: Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley was the third named storm, the second hurricane, and the second major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. Charley lasted from August 9 to August 15, and at its peak intensity it attained 150 mph winds, making it a strong Category 4 hurricane on the...
, Hurricane Francis and Hurricane Jeanne
Hurricane Jeanne
Hurricane Jeanne was the deadliest hurricane in the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the tenth named storm, the seventh hurricane, and the fifth major hurricane of the season, as well as the third hurricane and fourth named storm of the season to make landfall in Florida...
. The three hurricanes brought hurricane force winds to the Lake Wales area within a space of 44 days.
Geography and climate
The town lies almost in the exact center of the Florida peninsula. Lake Wales is located on the Lake Wales RidgeLake Wales Ridge
The Lake Wales Ridge is a low ridge running for about 150 miles south to north in Central Florida. The greater part of the ridge is in Highlands County and Polk County, but it extends north into Osceola, Orange and Lake Counties. It is named for the city of Lake Wales, roughly at the mid point of...
, a sandy upland area running roughly parallel to both coasts in the center of the peninsula. According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 14 square miles (36.3 km²). 13.4 square miles (34.7 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (4.71%) is water.
Lake Wales is located in the humid subtropical zone (Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
: Cfa). In 2004 the eyes of Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne all passed near the town. Virtually all physical damage has been restored.
Wildlife and Environmental Lands
Grassy Lake PreserveGrassy Lake Preserve
Grassy Lake Preserve is of preserve and was purchased by the State of Florida in 2003 for $2.1 million to protect eight rare species of plants and one rare species of animal...
is a 185 acre (0.7486691 km²) preserve located behind Janie Howard Wilson Elementary School. Grassy Lake is primarily made up of Lake Wales Ridge
Lake Wales Ridge
The Lake Wales Ridge is a low ridge running for about 150 miles south to north in Central Florida. The greater part of the ridge is in Highlands County and Polk County, but it extends north into Osceola, Orange and Lake Counties. It is named for the city of Lake Wales, roughly at the mid point of...
scrub land.
Government and politics
The City of Lake Wales has a commission-manager form of government where the commission makes executive decisions and the city managerCity manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
is charged with carrying them out. Lake Wales has 5 commissioners representing five different city districts, although they are elected at-large by all city voters. The commissioners are elected for 4 year terms. In 2008, Lake Wales caused somewhat of a stir by electing former Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
John Paul Rogers as District 5 city commissioner. Ironically, Rogers' campaign manager was an African-American who spearheaded a large absentee ballot drive among elderly blacks to vote for Rogers.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,194 people (2006 Estimate put the population at 13,687, according to the U.S. Census Bureau), 4,044 households, and 2,563 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 763.9 inhabitants per square mile (294.8/km²). There were 4,598 housing units at an average density of 344.5 per square mile (133.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.49% White, 34.59% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 3.62% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.95% of the population.
There were 4,044 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,884, and the median income for a family was $30,029. Males had a median income of $21,809 versus $20,568 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,106. About 36.9% of families and 41.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.2% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.
Local Attractions
- The Shrine of Ste Anne des LacsSte Anne des LacsSt. Anne des Lacs was a rural shrine built about 1923 by French-speaking Catholics on Lake St. Anne, a lake of about 15 acres, located about six miles east of Lake Wales, Florida and 1.5 miles south of S.R. 60. It was built of stone, a rare and rarely-used material in Florida...
- Bok Tower GardensBok Tower GardensBok Tower Gardens is a botanical garden and bird sanctuary, located north of Lake Wales, Florida, United States. It consists of a 250-acre garden, the tall Singing Tower with its carillon bells, Pine Ridge Trail, Pinewood Estate, and a visitor center...
- Chalet SuzanneChalet SuzanneChalet Suzanne is a historic site in Lake Wales, Florida. It is located at 3800 Chalet Suzanne Drive. On July 24, 1990, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places....
- Spook HillSpook HillSpook Hill is a gravity hill in Lake Wales, Florida.Spook Hill is located on the Lake Wales Ridge, a geologically significant range of sand and limestone hills, which were islands from two to three million years ago, when sea levels were much higher than at present...
, an optical illusionOptical illusionAn optical illusion is characterized by visually perceived images that differ from objective reality. The information gathered by the eye is processed in the brain to give a perception that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source...
which makes a car in neutral appear as if it is traveling uphill (gravity hillGravity hillA gravity hill, also known as a magnetic hill , is a place where the layout of the surrounding land produces the optical illusion that a very slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope...
) - The commercial historic districtLake Wales Commercial Historic DistrictThe Lake Wales Commercial Historic District is a U.S. historic district located in Lake Wales, Florida. The district is bounded by the US 27A Scenic Highway, Central Avenue, Market Street, and Orange Avenue. It contains 16 historic buildings.-External links:* at...
in the heart of the old town contains important examples of architecture from the period of the Florida land boom of the 1920sFlorida land boom of the 1920sThe Florida land boom of the 1920s was Florida's first real estate bubble, which burst in 1925, leaving behind entire new cities and the remains of failed development projects such as Aladdin City in south Miami-Dade County and Isola di Lolando in north Biscayne Bay...
. The district's tallest building, the Hotel GrandDixie Walesbilt HotelThe Dixie Walesbilt Hotel is a historic hotel in Lake Wales, Florida, United States located at 115 North 1st Street. The Walesbilt Hotel was renamed the Grand by a New York owner during the 1980s. The structure was built in 1926 after a stock-sale campaign in the local business community...
, is boarded up and at risk of demolition. - Grove House, the visitor's center for the agricultural cooperative Florida's Natural (located across from the company's processing plant).
Notable residents
- Red "Galloping Ghost" GrangeRed GrangeHarold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...
, NFL player, was living in Lake Wales when he died in 19911991 in sports1991 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Petra Kronberger, Austria-American football:... - Amar'e Stoudemire, NBA player, born in Lake Wales
- Dominique JonesDominique JonesDominique O'Neal Jones is an American basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks. A noted scorer in college, Jones led the Big East conference in scoring average in 2009–2010.-Freshman:...
, NBA player, born and attended high school in Lake Wales - Wade DavisWade Davis (baseball)Wade Davis is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Professional career:Davis was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2004 amateur entry draft...
, MLB player - Pat BordersPat BordersPatrick Lance Borders is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who is best remembered for being the Most Valuable Player in the 1992 World Series. Borders also won an Olympic Games gold medal with the United States' baseball team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney...
, 1992 World Series MVP, part time Lake Wales resident and Lake Wales High School Alumnus - Mario GosselinMario Gosselin (racecar driver)Mario Gosselin is a Canadian professional race car driver who currently races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He drives the #12 Chevrolet for his own DGM Racing...
, NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Camping World Truck Series driver/owner, lives and operates his race shop in Lake Wales
Transportation
- US 27U.S. Route 27U.S. Route 27 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus is at US 1 in Miami, Florida. The northern terminus is at Interstate 69 in Fort Wayne, Indiana...
- This divided highway leads northward to Haines CityHaines City, FloridaHaines City is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 13,174 at the 2000 census. As of 2010, the population estimated by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida is 18,762. Haines City is the third most populous city in Polk County, Florida...
and Interstate 4Interstate 4Interstate 4 is a intrastate Highway located entirely within the state of Florida, United States. It goes from Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida to Interstate 95 at Daytona Beach, Florida . It also has the Florida Department of Transportation designation of State Road 400, but only a small...
going north, and FrostproofFrostproof, FloridaFrostproof is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The city is located in southern Polk County on the Lake Wales Ridge. The population was 2,975 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 2,954...
, Sebring and eventually Miami going south. - State Road 60 - Also known as Hesperides Road, it leads westward to Bartow and Tampa and eastward to Florida's TurnpikeFlorida's TurnpikeFlorida's Turnpike , designated as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, and originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway is a north–south toll road that runs through 11 counties in the Florida peninsula, from U.S...
and Vero Beach. - State Road 17Florida State Road 17State Road 17 , also formerly known as Alternate U.S. 27, is a north–south state road in the U.S. state of Florida. It is split into two sections...
- The Scenic Highway running through the center of town, paralleling US 27 southward to Frostproof and northward to Haines City
Bus service is provided to Winter Haven and Frostproof by Winter Haven Area Transit
Winter Haven Area Transit
Winter Haven Area Transit is a bus system based in Winter Haven, Florida. The system operates 9 of its own buses, and another 4 buses are provided for WHAT by the Citrus Connection. There are 8 routes serving Winter Haven, Auburndale, Lakeland, Lake Alfred, Haines City, Lake Wales, Frostproof,...
.
Media
Lake Wales is part of the TampaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
/St. Pete television market, the 13th largest in the country and part of the local Lakeland/Winter Haven radio market, which is the 94th largest in the country.
Education
Lake Wales is home to twelve schools, six of which are charter, three of which are traditional public schools and three private schools. Dale R Fair Babson Park Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Janie Howard Wilson Elementary, Polk Avenue Elementary and Lake Wales High School were converted to charter status in the Fall of 2004. Edward W. Bok Academy Middle opened in the Fall of 2008 to create a seamless K-12 charter system. McLaughlin Middle School and Fine Arts AcademyMcLaughlin Middle School and Fine Arts Academy
McLaughlin Middle School and Fine Arts Academy is a Polk County Public Schools middle school located southeast of downtown in Lake Wales, FL.- History :The school opened in 1964 as Lake Wales Junior High School...
, Roosevelt Academy Of Leadership And Applied Technology School, and Spook Hill Elementary School are still traditional public schools. Lake Wales Lutheran School, Candlelight Christian Academy, and The Vanguard School are private.
The district is home to 4,675 students: 56.56% White, 31.38% Black, .3% Asians, 11.66% Hispanic and .11% Native America.
Lake Wales is also home to two colleges, Warner University and Webber International University. The J.D. Alexander Center, a satellite campus of Polk State College is located in downtown Lake Wales in 2009.
Retirement Villages
The town has three retirement villages. Although two of them are outside town lines but is considered to be part of Lake Wales because of its closest settled town. The first Retirement Village is Tower Lakes which is off of US-27. The Second one is Saddlebag Lake ResortSaddlebag Lake Resort
Saddlebag Lake Resort is a retirement village near the outskirts of Lake Wales, Florida in Polk County. The population is around 1,350. The park is not a CDR or Community. Instead it is part of Lake Wales, Florida though the town is 9 miles way from the park....
. Which is 9 miles away from settlement. and Indian Lakes which is 20 miles from settlement. Both are located on Hespersides Road.