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Lake Wales, Florida

Coordinates: 27°55′10″N 81°35′46″W / 27.91944°N 81.59611°W / 27.91944; -81.59611
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Lake Wales, Florida
City
City of Lake Wales
Flag of Lake Wales, Florida
Flag
Official seal of Lake Wales, Florida
Seal
Nickname: 
Crown Jewel of the Ridge
Location in Polk County and the state of Florida
Location in Polk County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 27°55′10″N 81°35′46″W / 27.91944°N 81.59611°W / 27.91944; -81.59611
CountryUnited States of America
StateFlorida
CountyPolk
Settled1911
Incorporated (town)May 28, 1917
Incorporated (city)1925
Government
 • TypeCommission-Manager
 • MayorJack Hilligoss
 • City Commissioners
Members
  • Daniel Williams
  • Keith Thompson
  • Carol Gillespie
  • Robin Gibson
Area
[1]
 • Total20.12 sq mi (52.10 km2)
 • Land18.84 sq mi (48.81 km2)
 • Water1.27 sq mi (3.30 km2)
Elevation
[2]
128 ft (39 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total16,361
 • Density868.19/sq mi (335.22/km2)
DemonymLake Walean
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
33800-33898
Area code863
FIPS code12-38950[3]
GNIS feature ID2404869[2]
Websitewww.lakewalesfl.gov

Lake Wales is a city in Polk County, Florida. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 16,361 at the 2020 census.

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]

A survey by W.A. Williams and J. Jackson, deputy surveyors of the State of Florida was made of the region around present-day Lake Wales. The area was considered to be uninhabitable by early settlers. By 1879, the land around the present city was surveyed again by Sidney Irving Wailes, an agent for the Florida Land and Improvement Co., who changed the name of a lake, then known as Watts Lake, to Lake Wailes.[4]

In 1902, G.V. Tillman scouted the region of Lake Wales and saw the potential for turpentine, citrus, and other industries. He developed the idea to settle the area around Lake Wailes.

Settlement

[edit]
The B. K. Bullard House

The city of Lake Wales was established near the lake in 1911–1912, planned by the Lake Wales Land Company.[5] The spelling Wales was used for the city, although the lake is still generally spelled Lake Wailes. Allen Carleton Nydegger, a civil engineer, was contracted by the Lake Wales Land Company to plot out the community of Lake Wales.[6] He and his crew camped on the shores of Crystal Lake and spent months plotting out the new community.

"It was a foggy morning and having been a rainy fall, the water was up to both sides of the R.R. in many places causing us to almost regret having come to Florida. But just before coming to Lake Wales, the sun came out in all its glory and banished our idea of being in a swamp; we expected snakes and alligators to be running around like chickens and of course found that a great mistake... The train stopped at the platform north of the little station (used to load and unload barrels of turpentine from the still) where they unloaded our trunks before we could get off... There were no sidewalks, no lights or hard roads just deep sand everywhere with hogs and cattle roaming all over, but when I stepped from the car door and saw how beautiful the view was over the two lakes, this big moss draped pine and oak and a church under construction, I was content..." - Excerpt from "Rose Wetmore's Diary", Autumn 1912.[7]

The City of Lake Wales was officially incorporated as a town in May 1917.[8]

Florida Land Boom

[edit]

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 1928.

21st century

[edit]

In 2004, Lake Wales endured the effects of three hurricanes which came through the area: Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne.[9] The three hurricanes brought hurricane-force winds to the Lake Wales area within a space of 44 days. In 2017, Hurricane Irma brought more hurricane-force winds to Lake Wales.

Geography

[edit]

The town lies near the geographical center of the Florida peninsula. Lake Wales is located on the Lake Wales Ridge,[10] 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 14.0 square miles (36 km2), of which 13.4 square miles (35 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (4.71%) is water.

Lake Wales is located in Central Florida, west of Lake Kissimmee and east of Tampa.

Climate

[edit]

According to the Köppen climate classification, Lake Wales has a humid subtropical climate,[11] bordering on a tropical monsoon and dry-winter tropical savanna climate because of its hot days and warm nights, even in "winter". January is the only month of the year that has an average daily mean temperature below 18.0 °C (64.4 °F). The town is in hardiness zone 9b. In 2004, the eyes of Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances, and Hurricane Jeanne all passed near the town. Virtually all physical damage has been restored.

Climate data for Lake Wales, Florida (Mountain Lake), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1935–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 89
(32) 		91
(33) 		96
(36) 		98
(37) 		102
(39) 		102
(39) 		105
(41) 		100
(38) 		100
(38) 		96
(36) 		92
(33) 		89
(32) 		105
(41)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 82.9
(28.3) 		85.0
(29.4) 		88.3
(31.3) 		91.6
(33.1) 		95.2
(35.1) 		96.9
(36.1) 		96.6
(35.9) 		96.1
(35.6) 		94.4
(34.7) 		90.9
(32.7) 		86.5
(30.3) 		83.1
(28.4) 		97.6
(36.4)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 74.7
(23.7) 		77.9
(25.5) 		81.6
(27.6) 		86.1
(30.1) 		90.4
(32.4) 		92.4
(33.6) 		93.2
(34.0) 		93.2
(34.0) 		91.1
(32.8) 		86.2
(30.1) 		80.1
(26.7) 		76.0
(24.4) 		85.2
(29.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 62.4
(16.9) 		65.4
(18.6) 		68.8
(20.4) 		73.5
(23.1) 		78.4
(25.8) 		81.8
(27.7) 		82.9
(28.3) 		83.1
(28.4) 		81.4
(27.4) 		75.9
(24.4) 		68.9
(20.5) 		64.6
(18.1) 		73.9
(23.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 50.0
(10.0) 		52.8
(11.6) 		55.9
(13.3) 		60.8
(16.0) 		66.4
(19.1) 		71.1
(21.7) 		72.5
(22.5) 		73.0
(22.8) 		71.6
(22.0) 		65.7
(18.7) 		57.7
(14.3) 		53.1
(11.7) 		62.6
(17.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 30.9
(−0.6) 		33.8
(1.0) 		38.0
(3.3) 		46.0
(7.8) 		55.8
(13.2) 		66.1
(18.9) 		68.8
(20.4) 		69.6
(20.9) 		66.1
(18.9) 		52.0
(11.1) 		41.6
(5.3) 		33.6
(0.9) 		28.6
(−1.9)
Record low °F (°C) 16
(−9) 		24
(−4) 		25
(−4) 		33
(1) 		44
(7) 		50
(10) 		58
(14) 		60
(16) 		55
(13) 		36
(2) 		24
(−4) 		16
(−9) 		16
(−9)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.64
(67) 		2.19
(56) 		2.76
(70) 		2.42
(61) 		3.56
(90) 		8.92
(227) 		7.81
(198) 		8.06
(205) 		6.89
(175) 		3.25
(83) 		1.82
(46) 		2.45
(62) 		52.77
(1,340)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 5.9 5.5 5.6 5.3 6.8 13.6 13.8 14.3 11.3 6.9 4.3 5.3 98.6
Source: NOAA[12][13]

Wildlife and environmental lands

[edit]

Grassy Lake Preserve is a 185 acres (0.75 km2) preserve located behind Janie Howard Wilson Elementary School. Grassy Lake is primarily made up of Lake Wales Ridge scrub land.

Government and politics

[edit]

Municipal government

[edit]

Lake Wales is governed by a five-person city commission under the Commission-Manager form of government. The day-to-day operations of the city are run by a professional city manager who is appointed by the elected city commission.[14]

Elected officials and elections

[edit]
City Commission
[edit]

There are five commission members, of which four are city commissioners and one mayor. The legislative power of the city is vested in the city commission and it determines policies to be implemented by the City Manager.

The city commission is responsible for adopting ordinances, adopting an annual budget, developing an overall vision for the city, zoning changes, comprehensive plan amendments, certain types of development, redevelopment, franchises for provision of public services, bid awards, water and sewer rate changes, and changes in tax rate. The commission is also responsible for appointing the City Manager, the City Clerk, and the City Attorney.[15]

Lake Wales City Commission
Seat Office Holder In Office Since
1 / At-Large Jack Hilligoss 2022
2 Daniel Williams 2021
3 Keith Thompson 2023
4 Carol Gillespie 2024
5 Robin Gibson 2016
Mayor
[edit]

The mayor is presiding officer of the city commission and has a voice and a vote in its proceedings but no veto power.[16] The current mayor is Jack Hilligoss, who took office in May 2022.

Elections and terms of office
[edit]

Lake Wales municipal elections are nonpartisan.

Each member of the commission is elected to serve a 3-year term.[17] The five commission members are elected at large, of which four commission members must reside and be nominated in the district represented by the seat to which they are elected. The mayor and can reside in any district of the city.

The commission shall elect from among its members a deputy mayor who shall act as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor, and if a vacancy occurs, shall become mayor for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Law enforcement

[edit]

In 2016, a Lake Wales police officer, Travis Worley, was accused by a whistleblower on the Lake Wales police force of calling a black suspect a "nigger". The department suspended Worley for one day, but denied that he had used a racial slur. In 2019, he was named Lake Wales’ Officer of the Year. The whistleblower said she was subsequently targeted for punishment by the Lakes Wales police department and ultimately resigned. Worley has subsequently been accused on at least two occasions of using the N-word, including once in front of students at the local high school.[18]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1920796—
19303,401327.3%
19405,02447.7%
19506,82135.8%
19608,34622.4%
19708,240−1.3%
19808,4662.7%
19909,67014.2%
200010,1945.4%
201014,22539.5%
202016,36115.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[19]
Lake Wales racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Pop 2010[20] Pop 2020[21] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 7,820 7,750 54.97% 47.37%
Black or African American (NH) 3,784 3,918 26.60% 23.95%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 46 32 0.32% 0.20%
Asian (NH) 117 167 0.82% 1.02%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) 3 5 0.02% 0.03%
Some other race (NH) 29 56 0.20% 0.34%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) 204 517 1.43% 3.16%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,222 3,916 15.62% 23.93%
Total 14,225 16,361

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,361 people, 6,363 households, and 4,015 families residing in the city.[22]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 14,225 people, 5,710 households, and 3,712 families residing in the city.[23]

Local attractions

[edit]
The sign at Spook Hill

Notable people

[edit]

Transportation

[edit]

Bus service is provided to Winter Haven and Frostproof by Winter Haven Area Transit.

Lake Wales Municipal Airport (FAA LID: X07) is a public-use airport located 2 miles (3.2 km) west of the central business district of the city of Lake Wales in Polk County, Florida, United States. The airport is publicly owned.

Chalet Suzanne Air Strip This single grass strip four miles north of downtown serves light aircraft arriving at the Chalet Suzanne Inn and Restaurant, a local landmark.

Media

[edit]
See also: Media in Tampa Bay

Lake Wales is part of the Tampa/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.[31][32]

Education

[edit]

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.[33] Edward W. Bok Academy Middle opened in the Fall of 2008 to create a seamless K–12 charter system.[34] McLaughlin Middle School and Fine Arts Academy, 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.[35]

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.[35]

Healthcare

[edit]

The only hospital in Lake Wales is AdventHealth Lake Wales.[36][37]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Wales, Florida
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ Morris, A. (1974) Florida Place Names University of Miami Press
  5. ^ Frisbie, L.K. (1976) Yesterday's Polk County Imperial Publishing Company, Bartow, FL
  6. ^ Lake Wales Public Library. (n.d.) Allen Carleton Nydegger Digital Collection. Retrieved from https://lakewales.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/LWD01
  7. ^ Wetmore, Rose (1912). Diary of Rose Wetmore. Lake Wales.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ^ Adams, William (1992). Historic Lake Wales. St. Augustine, Florida: Southern Heritage Press. p. 20. ISBN 1-881470-00-8.
  9. ^ Suarez, Ken. As hurricane season starts again, memories of 2004 will always linger. Fox 13 Tampa Bay. June 1, 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
  10. ^ "The Lake Wales Ridge: Ancient sands, diverse biota". Archbold Biological Station. September 24, 2010. Archived from the original on July 6, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  11. ^ "World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated". University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  12. ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  13. ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  14. ^ "Article IV. City Manager, Charter, Lake Wales". The State of Florida·Lake Wales. City of Lake Wales, Florida. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  15. ^ "Duties & Responsibilities | Lake Wales, FL - Official Website". www.lakewalesfl.gov. City of Lake Wales, Florida. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  16. ^ "3.06. Functions and powers of mayor". The State of Florida·Lake Wales. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  17. ^ "3.03. Election and terms". The State of Florida·Lake Wales. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  18. ^ "Cops who report excessive force and other misconduct risk". www.usatoday.com. 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  19. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  20. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Lake Wales city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Lake Wales city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Lake Wales city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Lake Wales city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  24. ^ Florida Memory. (2022). The Legend of Spook Hill. Floridiana. Retrieved from https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/341938
  25. ^ "Pat Borders Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  26. ^ "Wade Davis Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  27. ^ "MarioGosselin.com - Bio". mariogosselin.com. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  28. ^ "Red Grange". College Football Hall of Fame. Football Foundation. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  29. ^ "Dominique Jones NBA & ABA Statistics | Basketball-Reference.com". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  30. ^ "Amare Stoudemire NBA & ABA Statistics | Basketball-Reference.com". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  31. ^ "Top Nielsen Markets". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  32. ^ "Arbitron Markets". Arbitron. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  33. ^ Dunn, Andrew (June 23, 2004). "Lake Wales Charter School Contracts OK'd". The Ledger. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  34. ^ Carpenter, Maya (June 16, 2008). "Teachers prepare for opening bell; 92,236 students expected". Winter Haven News Chief. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  35. ^ a b "About Lake Wales". City of Lake Wales. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
  36. ^ "Community Healths Systems Completes Divestitures of Hospitals Located in Davenport and Lake Wales, Florida". Nasdaq. August 30, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  37. ^ "Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center, Lake Wales Medical Center Will Join AdventHealth". Orlando MedicalNews. August 31, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Lake Wales.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lake Wales, Florida.
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