Historic Bok Sanctuary

While in Lake Wales, visit Historic Bok Sanctuary, a National Historic Landmark, located just north of Lake Wales on the Florida peninsula's highest point. The gift of publisher and author Edward W. Bok, a Dutch immigrant, the gardens and Tower were Mr. Bok’s gift of gratitude for the opportunities he’d been given as an American. The words of his grandmother were the inspiration of the Sanctuary, “Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you’ve lived in it.”

The majestic bell tower, a visual centerpiece of a historic Olmsted-designed landscape garden, houses one of the world's great carillons. Sixty bronze bells, ranging in weight from 17 pounds to nearly 24,000 pounds, fill the garden with beautiful carillon music with concerts daily at 1 and 3 p.m. as well as brief recordings throughout the day.

Pinewood Estate is a classic 20-room Mediterranean Revival winter estate that offers walking tours. For availability and rates, inquire in the Visitor Center upon arrival. Along with museum-quality exhibits in the Visitor Center, visitors to Historic Bok Sanctuary may enjoy the Pine Ridge Nature Preserve Trail, Window by the Pond nature observatory, guided garden walks (seasonally), and a panoramic view from Iron Mountain located 298 feet above sea level. The Carillon Cafe offers lunch and refreshments and the Tower & Garden Gift Shop showcase unique museum-quality gifts.

Special events include daily carillon concerts, seasonal guided tours, moonlight recitals, Easter Sunrise service, Christmas at Pinewood Holiday Home Tour and other holiday programs, the International Carillon Festival, Garden Campus lectures and workshops and much more. This National Historic Landmark is located three miles north of Lake Wales off C.R. 17A (Burns Avenue), and is open to the public every day of the year, with admission from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Arts

The Lake Wales Arts Council, Inc. is a private, tax-exempt non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and encourage the arts for the enhancement of community life.

The Arts Council adapted the former Holy Spirit Catholic Church, one of the finest examples of Spanish Mission-style architecture in the state of, Florida, into its operating Arts Center. The Center, built in 1927, is the location of rotating exhibitions, concerts, workshops, family days, and a film series and also sponsors the annual Lake Wales Art Show, a juried fine arts festival held on the shores of Lake Wailes each March.

National Historic District

Recognized as a National Historic District by the Department of the Interior, the historic Lake Wales downtown commercial district is an area filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It is being carefully restored, building by building, to its appearance as it was in the 1920's. Along with two adjacent residential districts also recognized by the National Register, the National Historic District features a number of indoor and outdoor murals reflecting the early history of Lake Wales as a planned community. The area is the site of frequent entertainment events, including an annual art show, and the monthly 'History on Wheels' classic car cruise-in.

Lake Wales Museum & Cultural Center
(The Depot)

Housed in a restored 1928 Atlantic Coast Line Railroad depot, the Lake Wales Museum & Cultural Center serves as the city's primary resource for the collection, conservation, exhibition, and study of materials relating to the history of Lake Wales. The museum contains railroad memorabilia and a variety of historical items recalling the early days of Lake Wales, including photographs, newspapers, and items from the area's first industries. Located at 325 S. Scenic Hwy. (U.S. Alt. 27), the museum is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lake Wales Celebrates

Lake Wales celebrates the beauty of the area and its history with a number of special events throughout the year. The mild weather of the region allows many of these activities to take place outdoors and the city often utilizes its picturesque downtown streets for parades and street festivals.

One of the first major events of the year is the annual Mardi Gras celebration, which has bloomed into a major social and tourist event, drawing thousands of visitors from across, Florida and beyond. A variety of activities highlight the six-week Carnival period, from a formal "Queens' Reception" to a wacky and colorful parade of "Krewes" featuring themed floats and costumes.

Other special events like Pioneer Days, which celebrates the fall season and the history of Lake Wales, and the Christmas Parade are planned throughout the year in celebration of holidays and other occasions. The Chamber of Commerce offers information on upcoming events. Additional area information is available from Historic Lake Wales.com.

Attractions

From November through April the Lake Wales area plays host to thousands of tourists.

Spook Hill

Cars don't roll uphill by themselves ...or do they? Legends about Spook Hill, between Lake Wailes and Iron Mountain at Bok Tower Sanctuary, abound in Lake Wales.

Legend has it that the area around the lake was once the home of a tribe of Calusas, led by a great and powerful Chief Cufcowellax. The tribe lived happily until a huge bull alligator moved into the lake and began to raid the Indian village. To save his people, the chief set out to find and destroy the giant reptile, and, after much searching, found the creature and engaged it in battle. Cufcowellax fought the gator for many days. As the tribe watched, the chief finally emerged from the lake victorious.

By the turn of the century, horses pulling loads on the road by the lake were observed laboring when traveling what should have been an easy route: downhill. Locals took note of the unusual phenomenon, attributing it to Chief Cufcowellax, and a local attraction was born. Years later, when the road was paved, residents found that their cars rolled uphill by themselves. Ever since, investigators have tried in vain to discover what really lies behind the mystery of Spook Hill.

Other Attractions

Other area attractions include the Florida Skydiving Center and Cypress Gardens, about a fifteen-minute drive from Lake Wales. It offers a marvelous expanse of tropical gardens and water, where water ski shows are performed and breath-taking floral festivals dazzle the eye. More than a dozen golf courses are available within a few minute's drive of Lake Wales. Within about an hour's drive are the magnificent attractions of the Orlando area: Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal and MGM Studios, EPCOT, and more. Also within convenient driving range are Florida's fabulous Gulf and Atlantic beaches, and the technological wonder of the Kennedy Space Center. Lake Wales is conveniently located in the center of it all!