Munn Park Historic District is a U.S. historic district located in Lakeland, Florida. The district includes the central portion of Munn Park, as well as the buildings and structures surrounding it. It mainly comprises commercial buildings, built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of the notable buildings in the district include the Polk County Courthouse, Lakeland City Hall, First Presbyterian Church, Carpenter’s Home, and Bank of America building.
History of Munn Park Historic District
The Lakeland City Commission created a seven-member Historic Preservation Board in 1980 to develop and preserve the town’s historic areas. The first district built was in the area of Munn Park in the town center. Abraham Munn, who founded Lakeland, is honored with the name of Munn Park. The major commercial core of Lakeland is covered by the historic district, which contains several original structures constructed as early as 1902.
Abraham Munn purchased the 80 acres of property that currently form the center of Lakeland’s downtown commercial district, giving rise to the Munn Park Historic District. It has some of the city’s oldest buildings as well as Munn Park, the earliest public open space. Its most noteworthy building is the Lake Mirror Promenade, which was created by renowned landscape architect Charles W.Leavitt and serves as the district’s grand entryway.
Popular Features of Munn Park Historic District
Polk Theater and Office Building
The Polk Theater was built in 1928 and is one of only two surviving high-style theaters from that era in all of Central Florida. The Polk Theater is a classic example of the Mediterranean Revival architectural style.
Allen Kryger
The Allen Kryger’s Office Building was built in 1902 and is one of the oldest buildings in the district. The building is a two-story masonry structure with a rectangular footprint. It features a flat roofline and parapet, as well as segmental arch windows.
Mute Swan Protecting Her Cygnets
The Mute Swan Protecting Her Cygnets is a sculpture located in the Munn Park Historic District. It was created by Lakeland artist Stephen Warde Anderson and installed in the park in 2002. The sculpture is made of bronze and depicts a mother swan shielding her young from harm.
The Women’s Club of Lakeland
The Women’s Club of Lakeland was built in 1915 and is one of the oldest clubhouses in the district. The building is a two-story masonry structure with a hipped roof and wrap-around porch. It features classical revival detailing, including Doric columns and a pedimented portico.
Florida Air Museum
Speedy Car Shipping Lakeland
