1952 Map of Lake Wales

About this map

Iron Mountain dominates the central topography of this 1952 survey, rising above the citrus groves and lakeside settlements of Polk County. The landscape is defined by its numerous named water bodies, from the large Lake Pierce in the northeast to the urban cluster around Lake Wales. In the center of the map, the Bok Tower landmark sits atop the ridge, a focal point for the surrounding community. This edition includes purple revisions from 1972, which illustrate the expansion of the urban footprint in North Lake Wales and southward toward Lake Serena. Transportation is anchored by the Seaboard Coast Line railroad and the Municipal Airport, while local life is centered around institutions like Polk Ave Sch and Refuge Ch. The map provides a look at the transition from early 20th-century citrus agriculture to post-war residential growth.