Bok Mountain Lake Sanctuary and Singing Tower, Lake Wales, Florida
Posted by: 
94RedRover
N 27° 55.019 W 081° 33.960
17R E 444306 N 3088135
Bok Tower and the surrounding sanctuary was a gift to the American people by Dutch immigrant, Edward W. Bok, for the successes he had of the American Dream.
Waymark Code: WM3EB5
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 03/23/2008
Views: 58
Bok Tower Sanctuary is a fifty acre plot of land, where reknown writer and editor Edward W. Bok, had a tranquil garden and outstanding bell tower created as a place of repose to admire the beauty of central Florida. It was dedicated to the American people by President Calvin Coolidge on February 1, 1929, and added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1972.
The gardens were created by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr, a noted landscape architect. The labyrinth of lush gardens, tranquil ponds, shady nooks and local plants are outstanding, and can be enjoyed for hours.
One special place is the Window on the Pond, a tinted glass viewing room by a pond, where the spectators cannot be seen, and the wildlife puts on a show.
The most outstanding memorial in the santuary is the actual 205 foot tall bell tower, which sits on the exact highest point in peninsular Florida (324 feet) and offers a carillon of 60 bells, played twice daily. The tower, was designed by Milton B. Medary in gothic and art deco style.
A museum on site is dedicted to the success of the man behind the tower.
My waymark is posted at the gate to the sanctuary. You will then cross through groves of oranges to the center.
Street address:
1151 Tower Boulevard
Lake Wales, FL USA
33853-3412
County / Borough / Parish: Polk County, Florida
Year listed: 1972
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Person-Event-Architecture and Engineering
Periods of significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Historic function: Landscape, Recreation And Culture
Current function: Landscape, Recreation And Culture (conservation)
Privately owned?: yes
Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2008 To: 12/31/2008
Hours of operation: From: 8:00 AM To: 6:00 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.