Welcome to Central Florida

Lake Wales is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 11,802. The center of population of Florida is located in Lake Wales. Lake Wales is located in central Florida, west of Lake Kissimmee and east of Tampa. The Shrine of Ste Anne des Lacs is nearby. Among the attractions in Lake Wales are Bok Tower Gardens, Chalet Suzanne, and Spook Hill, an optical illusion which makes a car in neutral appear as if it is traveling uphill (gravity hill). A commercial historic district in the heart of the old town contains important examples of architecture from the period of the Great Florida Land Boom of the early 20th century. The district's tallest building, the Hotel Grand, is boarded up and at risk of demolition.  Countrywide Home Loan's Lake Wales office is located downtown on East Park Ave.

 

The area to the north east of Polk County, part of the greater Davenport area is rapidly developing due to its close proximity to Walt Disney World and other major tourist attractions. Polk County has zoned much of the land to the north of Davenport for short term rental development, and large developments of high priced homes have been built. Many homes are purchased by British residents who rent the homes to British tourists for annual vacations to nearby Orlando. This influx of money has a great influence on the economy and local development of Davenport. Many British residents visit Orlando each year, some preferring to rent a home for their vacation, instead of using the traditional hotels on International Drive and Kissimmee in Greater Orlando.

 

Haines City is the third most populated city in Polk County, Florida.  In 2004, Haines City became the prime target of Hurricane Charley, which ripped through the city in August of that year. The city has since mostly recovered.