Winter Haven-Lakeland tale of name mixups is — a myth
WINTER HAVEN — Kacie Laube first heard the story when she was a teenager.
Growing up in Lakeland, she had heard that Lakeland was supposed to be named Winter Haven and that Winter Haven was supposed to be named Lakeland. There are actually a few versions of this story.
One states that a cartographer mixed up the cities’ names while crafting a map.
Another says that the cities’ incorporation paperwork got mixed up in Tallahassee.
As crazy as it seems, the stories actually make a little bit of sense.
After all, there are 38 named lakes in Lakeland and 50 in Winter Haven, which is known for its Chain of Lakes.
This led Laube to ask The Ledger whether it was “true that Lakeland was supposed to be named Winter Haven and vice versa.”
“I just think it’s funny that it’s been circulating for such a long time,” said Laube, 33, a secretary in Lakeland. “I’ve actually Googled it a couple times, but nothing has popped up. I would be very surprised if that was actually the case.”
It turns out truth is not stranger than fiction.
Myrtice Young, the Polk County History Center’s Historic Preservation Manager, said she was not aware of anything off the top of her head that states that. Bob Gernert, founder of the Museum of Winter Haven History, is an authority on all things Winter Haven.
He said the myth simply isn’t true, and the reason is actually pretty boring.
Lakeland was incorporated Jan. 1, 1885, and Winter Haven was incorporated in 1911.
That gap of 26 years means it’s impossible that the incorporation papers got mixed up or that a cartographer mistakenly misidentified the towns. “I am constantly asked that question by people once or twice a year and have been for the last 20 years,” Gernert said. “I try to set the record straight.”
Though the story behind the mixed-up names is false, he said Winter Haven was actually once known as Harris Corners. F.A.K. Harris was the first official resident, building a two-story building featuring his corner store and home. It was the first building constructed in the downtown area.
Gernert said Harris’ wife regularly cooked meals for the railroad men who came through.
Those workers, without an official designation for the area, began referring to it as Harris Corners.
Two men, Blount and Whitledge, platted the area. The latter did not want the town named after him, and it was P.D. Ecyleshimer who suggested Winter Haven around 1885.
■ Juno Beach will have a September 11th Remembrance Ceremony at Juno Beach Town Center, 340 Ocean Drive, at 9 a.m. The town council, as well as town manager Joseph Lo Bello and police chief Brian Smith are expected to attend. A light breakfast sponsored by the Juno Beach Police Foundation will follow the ceremony.
■ Tequesta will have a Public Safety Memorial at Village Green, 357 Tequesta Drive, at 8:30 a.m. Members of the police department, fire department and village hall will attend and the public is invited. The village’s Memorial Fountain has a piece of one of the Twin Towers incorporated into it. Light refreshments will be served in the Public Safety Building Lobby following the memorial.
■ Wellington will have a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at the Wellington Patriot Memorial, 12198 Forest Hill Blvd. Village Council members will speak and a wreath will be placed at the memorial for those lost in the attacks. For more information, go to www. wellingtonfl.gov.
■ The Fire Chiefs Association of Palm Beach County will host a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Christ Fellowship Church, 801 Congress Ave. at the Boynton Beach Mall, at 7 p.m. Attendees will share in the remembrance of the families, first responders, police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who lost their loved ones that day.
■ Boynton Beach will have a 9/11 Remembrance Memorial Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park,
411 N. Federal Highway, at 9 a.m. The ceremony is open to the public and includes a moment of silence. For more information, call 561276-1796.