With the gap left by the relocation of the Confederate monument in mind, Lakeland’s Historic Preservation Board formed a committee recently to examine what, if anything, should become the focal point of Munn Park in downtown Lakeland. More
A 1920s bungalow slated for demolition was saved when historic preservationist Gregory Fancelli had it moved one block from Orange Street to Lime Street on Sunday, Fox 13 News reports. The move, months in the making, took 3 1/2 hours. Keep scrolling for the video report. More
The roof structure and Craftsman porch have been removed from the century-old house at 721 E. Orange St. in preparation to move it to an empty lot one block away next month. More
The stately house at 1022 Success Avenue that has fallen into disrepair has been purchased by a company headed by local Realtor Holly Cuthbertson that plans to rehab it in order to sell it to somebody willing to do a full restoration, The Ledger reports. The decline of this century-plus-old house and other historic homes has raised questions about whether Lakeland commissioners should pass an ordinance giving the city more tools to prevent “demolition by neglect,” Gary White reports in the subscribers-only article.
Several of Lakeland’s Black community leaders are working toward establishing the African American Historical Museum of Lakeland and have been gifted property to house the museum. More
Florida Emancipation Day was celebrated in Lakeland Thursday with a ceremony at Lake Wire that included Buffalo Soldier re-enactors and a reading of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation by Mayor Bill Mutz, News Channel 8 reports. Emancipation will be celebrated again next month with Lakeland’s annual Juneteenth observance June 19 at 3 p.m. at the Coleman-Bush Building. More
The iconic 70-foot-tall arch at Southgate Shopping Center has been attracting more attention ever since LED light strands were added last year, recreating the classic neon look of the 1950s-era plaza. The neon had been dark for 20 years, resulting in the sign being illuminated by floodlights. More
The Miller Planetarium, the final building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright at Florida Southern College, is undergoing a massive restoration. Closed for more than six years because of damages, the building is being revamped to once again be available to students and the general public. More
LaFrancine Burton’s passion has been researching and writing about the history of the Black experience in Lakeland. A particular interest is the Moorehead community that was uprooted to build the complex now known as the RP Funding Center. She tells her own story, including experiences as one of the first two Black students at Lakeland High School, in an interview with Ashley Troutman for The Lakelander.
The founder and organizer of Lakeland’s 29-year-old Juneteenth celebration asked the City Commission today to pass a resolution recognizing Juneteenth — June 19 — as a day to recall the end of slavery in the U.S. More
