1952 Map of Lake Wales

About this map

Iron Mountain serves as a prominent high point in this Central Florida landscape, famously crowned by the Bok Tower landmark. The city of Lake Wales acts as the central hub, surrounded by a dense concentration of citrus-era water bodies including Lake Mabel, Lake Starr, and Lake Serena. The map illustrates a transitional period where traditional citrus groves and the established Seaboard Coast Line railroad corridors began to meet mid-century urban expansion. Beyond the residential core, the geography is defined by a sophisticated water management system, seen in the Peace Creek Drainage Canal, and significant recreational and industrial landmarks like the Lake Wales Municipal Airport and Lake of the Hills. Smaller communities such as Waverly and Venus are also documented, alongside local institutions like Refuge Ch and the Polk Ave Sch.