§ 5D · Timeline

A century on the Ridge.

Lake Wales rides an arc from citrus-boom railroad town to Olmsted-planned City in a Garden to a downtown quietly reinventing itself in the 2020s.

1. 1911

   Lake Wales incorporated on the newly-completed Atlantic Coast Line spur.

2. 1919

   Lincoln Avenue emerges as the commercial corridor of the Northwest neighborhood.

3. 1926

   Rhodesbilt Arcade (later Walesbilt Hotel) opens on Park Avenue.

4. 1929

   Olmsted Brothers master plan. Bok Tower dedicated by President Coolidge. Chalet Suzanne opens.

5. 1948

   Black Hills Passion Play begins its long run at the outdoor amphitheater.

6. 1976

   Bok Tower Gardens named a National Historic Landmark.

7. 1990s

   Retail migrates to US-27; downtown storefronts thin out.

8. 2011

   Lake Wales History Museum reopens in the restored 1928 ACL depot.

9. 2020

   Dover, Kohl & Partners deliver Lake Wales Connected plan.

10. 2023

    $22.9M federal RAISE grant awarded for Lincoln Avenue corridor.

11. 2026

    Market Plaza Open Mic launches as a recurring first-Wednesday night. ACE District programming expands.