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.
Category: History
Posted inHistory
Ups and Downs of Once-Stately Home Sparks Discussion of ‘Demolition by Neglect’
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 […]
Posted inHistory
Plans for African American Historical Museum Move Forward
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.
Posted inHistory
Lake Wire Ceremony Marks Florida Emancipation Day
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 […]
Posted inNeighborhoods
Colorful Lighting Reignites Fervor for Southgate Arch
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.
Posted inSchools
FSC Planetarium Will Reopen After Current Restoration Concludes
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.
Posted inHistory
LaFrancine Burton Documents Lakeland’s Black History
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 […]
Posted inActivism
City Commission Urged to Pass a Juneteenth Resolution
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.
Posted inHistory
Black History Discovery Trail Highlights Lakeland Pioneers
A self-guided tour in five city of Lakeland buildings tells the story of local Black history and the people who led the way, ABC Action News reports. The exhibits will be up until Feb. 26. | Learn more Source: ABC Action News
Posted inPeople
Lakeland Teacher’s Black History Month Art Wins Recognition
Lakeland artist and teacher Chanique Davis has gotten national attention for the Black History Month art she creates for the door of her classroom at Lake Alfred Elementary School. This year’s installation focuses on the Afro and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, News Channel 8 reports. | Watch a LkldNow in View conversation with Davis