Learn More About Lake Wales, Florida
Lake Wales, Florida
Positioned near the heart of the Florida peninsula, Lake Wales is a city of clear lakes in Polk County, Florida. It sits in the central part of the state, east of Tampa and west of Lake Kissimmee. It is located on a sandy upland terrain called the Lake Wales Ridge, which runs somewhat parallel to the two coasts in the middle of the peninsula. The city is part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The city of Lake Wales is a planned community founded by the Lake Wales Land Company. In 1879, the area was surveyed by Sidney Irving Wailes, who renamed the-then Watts Lake to Lake Wailes – obviously for himself. The city took its name after the nearby lake, but the letter “I” was dropped from the spelling. It was officially incorporated as the City of Lake Wales in April 1917.
Nestled among rolling hills on the high grounds of the Florida peninsula, Lake Wales has a humid subtropical climate and rich soil. The climate has contributed to make citrus growing an important activity in the economy since the founding years. However, the city has also managed to attract considerable manufacturing and construction businesses, just as it has been able to attract a number of electronics firms.
The population of the city was estimated at 15,541 in 2015, representing a rise of more than 50 percent from the level in 2000. There are more than 5,000 households here, with median age calculated at about 42 years in 2010. The high average age of residents is no doubt influenced by the presence of retirement villages in the area - there are many of them.
U.S. 27 runs north through Lake Wales to Haines City and Interstate 4, while extending southward all the way to Miami. Other major roads here include State Road 17 and State Road 60. The locals are served by Winter Haven Area Transit buses. The publicly-owned Lake Wales Municipal Airport located west of the city's central business district provides air service.
Lake Wales takes special interest in ensuring provision of quality education to residents. There are about seven public charter schools in the city, including one each of middle school, high school and vocational technical school. The city is also home to private schools, one of which known as Vanguard School caters to children with special learning needs. Two private colleges (Warner University and Webber International University) call Lake Wales home and there are also campuses of other institutions of higher learning around the area.
Lakes Wales offers so much for recreation and leisure. The numerous clear lakes around the area provide ample opportunities to enjoy fun activities with your loved ones year-round. There are over 250 acres of parks and athletic fields within city limits and a wide variety of recreational programs year-round. The optical illusion called Spook Hill, Bow Tower Gardens, and the Depot Museum are some of the interesting places here.
It is a fact that Lake Wales is a city for both young and old. With its historic downtown, cupolas and bell towers, it treats visitors and residents to its past. The city does not abandon keeping up with present times while preserving history, however. It offers a robust educational system and many necessary amenities.
