The ‘Hall of History’ recently opened in the Coleman-Bush Building in northwest Lakeland.
Category: History
Posted inHistory, Schools
Black History Month: Lakeland’s Black Schools Faced Arson and Segregation
The first classes were held in St. John’s Baptist Church in 1884, but suspicious fires in 1898, 1905 and 1927 hindered education.
Posted inHistory, People
Black History Month: Lakeland’s First Black Librarian Impacted Residents’ Lives
Teacher and librarian Elsie Dunbar fought for the city’s first Black library so children could have educational resources.
Posted inEvents, Family, History
Lakeland’s Black History Festival Postponed to March 23 Due To Expected Bad Weather
The event will still be at Jackson Park and the Coleman-Bush Building.
Posted inActivism, City Hall, History
Lakeland Commission Moves Juneteenth Discussion to April 1 Meeting
The change was so all seven commissioners could be present to decide whether June 19 should be a paid holiday for city employees.
Posted inHistory, People
Black History Month: Dr. David Simpson Treated All Patients During the Spanish Flu Epidemic
Simpson Park was later named for him.
Posted inHistory, Housing, Neighborhoods
Historic ‘Watch List’ Identifies Seven Blighted Lakeland Properties Worth Saving
Four of the distinctive homes are not in historic districts.
Posted inA & E, History
Polk Theatre to Restore Marquee and Upgrade Sound System with $141,500 Grant From Publix Charities
The nonprofit organization that owns the historic Polk Theatre will use the funds for renovations.
Posted inDowntown, History
Demolition Starts on 66-Year-Old Florida Citrus Mutual Building
The full block just south of City Hall will become surface parking for Publix’ downtown technology campus.
Posted inHistory
Bethel Baptist Church in Socrum to Celebrate 160 Years on Sunday
The church was officially founded during the Civil War, although people gathered long before that.