Lake Wales 1
Lake Wales is a city located in Polk County, central Florida, U.S., approximately 55 miles east of Tampa. The area was considered uninhabitable by early settlers, but by 1879, it was surveyed by Sidney Irving Wailes, who changed the name of Watts Lake to Lake Wailes. The city of Lake Wales was established in 1911–1912, planned by the Lake Wales Land Company. The city’s economy was initially based on lumber milling and citrus growing and later became a popular tourist spot due to its beautiful lakes. The city has diversified to include manufacturing, particularly electrical equipment and mattresses.
The city is home to the historic Bok Tower Gardens, established in 1929 on Iron Mountain, the highest point in peninsular Florida. The gardens are known for their plant and animal life and are a peaceful setting for the Bok Singing Tower, which contains a carillon of 57 bells. Additionally, the Audubon Center is located 6 miles south of the city, and Lake Kissimmee State Park is about 15 miles to the east. The city is also the seat of Warner Southern College, founded in 1968.
Lake Wales has a total area of 14.0 square miles, with 13.4 square miles being land and 0.7 square miles (4.71%) being water. It is located on the Lake Wales Ridge, a sandy upland area running roughly parallel to both coasts in the center of the Florida peninsula. The city is situated west of Lake Kissimmee and east of Tampa. Lake Wales has a humid subtropical climate, bordering on a tropical monsoon and dry-winter tropical savanna climate. The town experiences hot days and warm nights, even in winter, with January being the only month of the year that has an average daily mean temperature below 18.0 °C (64.4 °F). Next Article.
The city has a rich history and offers various tourist attractions, including the Historic Bok Sanctuary, Spook Hill, Bok Tower Gardens, Downtown Main Street, KICCO Wildlife Management Area, Lake Kissimmee State Park, and Tiger Creek Preserve. The city’s economy is also supported by the tourism industry, which contributes to the local accommodation and food services, as well as waste management sectors.
In terms of property values, Lake Wales has seen consistent growth in the construction of new single-family houses. In recent years, the average cost of building a new single-family house has been around $275,000. Additionally, the city has experienced a significant increase in daytime population due to commuting, with a large portion of workers living and working in the city itself.
Lake Wales is a vibrant city with a rich history, diverse economy, and numerous tourist attractions, making it a significant cultural and economic center in central Florida. Its beautiful natural surroundings, historical sites, and economic opportunities make it an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike.
POI #1 – Sizzling Grill, 21400 US Hwy 27, Lake Wales, FL 33859
POI #2 – Fat Boys’ Bar-B-Q, 15333 US Hwy 27, Lake Wales, FL 33859
POI #3 – Walden Shores of Lake Wales, 2204 Thoreau Dr, Lake Wales, FL 33898