Winter Haven is a town in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population is 33,874 at the 2010 census. According to US Census Bureau estimates by 2015, the city has a population of 37,689, making it the second densest city in Polk District. This is the main town of Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Video Winter Haven, Florida
History
Pre-history
Timucua and Calusa are the earliest inhabitants of the land that will become Winter Haven. Both groups were heavily influenced by the wars and diseases of the Spanish conquest of Florida in the early 1500s. Timucua was mainly influenced by the Hernando de Soto expedition. In the nineteenth century, these two groups ceased to exist. During this expedition Spanish explorers claimed the entire Florida peninsula for the Spanish monarchy
In the 19th century, Creek and Seminole were known to live and hunt in this area. During Seminole Wars leader Seminole, Chipco, and his followers are known to live in the Winter Haven area. Several minor battles during the war took place in and around Winter Haven.
19th century
In 1819, after the signing of Adams-OnÃÆ's Treaty, the United States ruled Florida. The first American or European settlers in the area were encouraged to settle here by the Armed Forces Act of 1842.
During the 1840s and 1850s, the United States government conducted its first survey in the area. Henry Washington conducted the first survey in the area in 1843. In 1849, Dr. John Westcott completed an extensive survey of the area, including mapping many local lakes. The first map of the area was published by the United States government in 1854. In 1883, Colonel Henry Haines, who worked for Henry Plant and Plant System, managed to build the first railroad through the Polk District, north of Winter Haven. Lake Haines, in Winter Haven, is named Colonel Haines.
The arrival of trains created the first real growth in the region. The area was laid out in 1884 and will first be known as Harris Corners. This name refers to F.A.K. Harris, who opened the first trade store in the area around this time. The name Winter Haven is then suggested, referring to the pleasant climate of the area.
The beginning of the 20th century
By the end of the century, the population grew about 400 and in 1911, the City of Winter Haven was founded. The Channel Lake Channels began in 1915. Florida's first explosion occurred in 1920 when cities were popping up across the peninsula. Florida's potential as a residence and place to visit was first realized in 1920, but the Great Depression slowed growth until after World War II. Winter Haven Hospital was founded in 1926 and has been in the city ever since.
During this period, the Winter Haven population began to grow substantially. Many beautiful single family homes are being built in Winter Haven today in a colonial revival style. More than 50 of these houses are on the National Register of Historic Places today. They are famous for their architectural style and grace. Most of these historic homes are located in the Interlaken neighborhood. There are four historic districts in Winter Haven. They are Interlaken, Pope Avenue, Winter Haven Heights, and downtown.
Growth and development
In 1930, George W. Jenkins opened the first Publix supermarket in Winter Haven. The second store and the first stand-alone Publix store, is a 27 square foot building on 199 West Central Avenue, opened in 1935, which now exists as a Regeneration augment shop. During the 1930s and 1940s, citrus magnate, John A. Snively operated one of the world's largest fruit packing plants in Winter Haven.
Another decisive event at Winter Haven was the opening of Cypress Gardens in 1936 by Dick Pope, Sr. and his wife, Julie Pope. They first got the idea to park from the Good Housekeeping magazine they read. Together they created the first amusement park in America, and in the 1950s, Cypress Gardens was nationally renowned. It features a beautiful botanical garden, a water-skiing show, and a staff from southern belles. Many famous celebrities back then visited the park, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Betty Grable, and King Hussein of Jordan. In the 1980s, Anheuser-Busch company bought the park. They continued to operate the park until 1995. After that, the park struggled, finally closed for good in 2009. On January 21, 2010, the Cypress Gardens website was officially announced as the chosen location for Legoland Florida, which opened on 15 October 2011. 2011 Legoland Florida is a state-of-the-art, world-class theme park that successfully retains some of the traditions and history of the original site, including parts of the original botanical gardens and water-skiing show.
Winter Haven features many buildings designed by Gene Leedy, one of the founders of the Sarasota School of Architecture. Regency Medical Center, which is a women's hospital Winter Haven Hospital, was built in 1987.
The Orange Dome, located near the corner of Cypress Gardens Blvd and US Hwy 17, was built in 1964. For 48 years, it hosted the annual Citrus Festival and other civil affairs. In February 2012, the Orange Dome was destroyed to make way for The Landings, a proposed $ 150 million mixed-use development intended to include upscale retail stores, restaurants, hotels, apartments and cinemas to be built at the Chain of Lakes Complex. However, after the construction of three fast food outlets, the project collapsed. Currently, developers and cities are negotiating to determine the future of the site.
Pughsville
Pughsville is the Winter Haven neighborhood where African Americans built communities after the Civil War. The historical marker on Highway 17 on Avenue O commemorates the community. According to the marker, Pughsville was one of the earliest settlements in Winter Haven and was completed by an African-American cleansing land in the southwestern part of the city.
Pughsville was named for the early black pioneer, Reverend Charles Pugh, who was the founder of one of the Hilltop Mission Baptist Churches. Pughsville is also home to Bethel A.M.E., St. Paul Holiness, and Church of Christ. The community is most active from the 1900s to the 1950s and has African-American schools, social spaces, small grocery stores, and restaurants where some residents work. Others work in the citrus industry or in state or federal jobs. Pughsville produced the first African-American commissioner in Winter Haven, medical doctors, mayors, firemen, and postal workers. The community declined in the late 1970s when larger commercial firms began to arrive in the area.
Maps Winter Haven, Florida
Geography
According to the US Census Bureau, the city has a total area of ​​25.4 square miles (66 km 2 ), of which 17.7 square miles (46 km 2 ) are land and 7.7 square miles (20 km 2 ) (30.45%) is water. Winter Haven is located in the Central Florida Plateau region of the Atlantic coastal plain with terrain consisting of plains interspersed with gentle hills. It has an average altitude of 146 feet (45 m) above sea level. It is located in the upper reaches of the Peace River (Florida).
Lake
Winter Haven has 50 lakes within its borders, including the famous Chain of Lakes. The lakes are by far the most characteristic feature of this city. Winter Haven calls itself "The Chain of Lakes City". The city has two prominent lake chains; the northern chain has nine lakes interconnected by a series of canals. The southern chain has sixteen lakes interconnected with a series of canals. The south chains have some prominent lakes, including Lake Eloise, Lake Howard, and Lake Lulu. In 2011, after six years of political development and conflict, Winter Haven opened a key channel system connecting two chains. Most of the lake in Winter Haven is formed in a manner similar to the drain hole, through the dissolution of limestone soil. These types of lakes are called "lake solutions". The lake in Winter Haven is full of life, including crocodiles, bald eagles, big blue cranes, and more. Lake Winter Haven is a world-famous place for bass fishing.
Climate
Winter Haven is located in a humid subtropical zone (Climatic classification KÃÆ'¶ppen: Cfa ). The city gets its name from the absence of cold weather. The average temperature is 73.2 Â ° F (23 Â ° C). The city averages 50.3 inches (128 cm) inches of rain per year. The summer months of June, July, August, and September, which cover the height of the Atlantic hurricane season, are by far the blistering times of the year. The four months, which average 29.7 inches (75 cm) inches of rain per year, account for more than half the annual rainfall. Winter in Lakeland is dry and bright, with mild temperatures with altitude of 70-73Ã, Â ° F (21-23Ã, Â ° C) and lowest 50-53Ã, Â ° F (10-12Ã, Â ° C). Frost occurs on average one or two nights per year.
Demographics
At the 2010 census, Winter Haven was 55.6% white, 28.2% black, 12.5% ​​Hispanic, 2.5% Asian. In the 2000 census, there were 26,487 people, 11,833 households, and 6,934 families living in the city. Population density was 1.498.3 people per square mile (578.4 km/km²). There are 13,912 units of homes with an average density of 787.0 per square mile (303.8/km²).
There are 11,833 households where 21.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% are married couples living together, 12.8% have unmarried female households present, and 41.4% is not family. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone 65 or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.81.
In urban areas the population is spread by 20.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 27.4% 65-year-olds or older. The median age is 44 years. For every 100 women, there are 85.1 men. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there are 81.2 men.
The average income for households in the city is $ 31,884, and the average income for families is $ 39,657. Men have an average income of $ 30,943 compared to $ 21,812 for women. The per capita income for the city is $ 20,383. About 10.5% of families and 15.0% of the population are below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those aged 65 and older.
Sports
The three-time Olympic gold medalist, Rowdy Gaines, and Olympic gold medal sprinter Kenneth Brokenburr grew up in Winter Haven. The four-time NBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Otis Birdsong, also grew up in Winter Haven. Welterweight boxing champion, Andre Berto, is another famous athlete who grew up in Winter Haven.
Winter Haven has many successful sports programs, both recreational and competitive, serving the young in society. Winter Haven High School has won several state and district championships in various sports, including the Varsity Girl Basketball Championships in 2005, 2007, 2016 and 2017.
With so many lakes, Winter Haven is the location for freshwater fishing. The two most famous sports in Winter Haven are water skiing and baseball.
History of water skiing
Winter Haven has played a major role in the development and growth of water skiing as a sport. Dick Pope, Sr. using water skiing as a way to promote Cypress Gardens themed parks beginning in the 1930s, and water-skiing soon became the ultimate entertainment in the park. He was also the first person to finish the jump in water skiing, jumping over the wooden lane in 1928, for a distance of 25 feet. He pioneered a number of other water ski tricks, including the human water ski pyramid, as part of an effort to develop his show at Cypress Gardens. His son, Dick Pope, Jr. popularizing water skiing barefoot.
Winter Haven is connected to 10 members of Water Ski Hall of Fame, more than any other city in the world. These include Dick Pope, Sr., Dick Pope, Jr., and Ricky McCormick. George A. "Banana George" Blair, who still holds some world water ski records, was first introduced to the sport while visiting Winter Haven in the 1950s. Winter Haven has many lakes, including the famous lake series, perfect for water skiing. Today, several successful ski schools, both for water skiing and barefoot skiing, are making their homes there. Every day, throughout the year, water skiers can be seen practicing their sport on the lake around town.
Baseball spring training
Winter Haven is the Baseball Baseball Baseball Baseball website for years, first at Denison Stadium and then at Chain of Lakes Ballpark. Many of the greatest baseball players in history played in Florida Spring Training Grapefruit League, and passed Winter Haven to play games, including Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Johnny Bench, and Hank Aaron.
In 1928, the Philadelphia Phillies were the first Major League Baseball team to call Winter Haven as their spring home. Phillies built Denison Stadium, featuring a large, covered wooden tribune. The Phillies played a spring training game there until 1938. In 1940, the New York Giants made a season there. After baseball left Denison Stadium, the facility was donated to the city for the benefit of youth athletics. The stadium, with its modernized tribune, still in use today, often hosts soccer, football, tracks and pitches, and other events.
In 1966, the Boston Red Sox and baseball spring training returned to Winter Haven. The Red Sox played at the newly built Chain of Lakes Ballpark, a state of the art facility. For 26 years, the Red Sox called Winter Haven their spring home. When the Red Sox left in 1992 to move to Fort Myers, Florida, the city of Winter Haven sought to appeal to other Major League Baseball teams. Later that year, Hurricane Andrew destroyed Homestead, Florida, including the Cleveland Indian spring training facility. The Indians are looking for a new spring house, and they are the perfect couple for Winter Haven. The Indians played 16 seasons at the Chain of Lakes Ballpark, leaving in 2008.
In 2008, after failed negotiations with the city to renovate the Chain of Lakes Ballpark, the Indians moved to a new stadium in Goodyear, Arizona. The Chain of Lakes Ballpark today hosts the Russ Matt college baseball tournament. The stadium is scheduled for demolition, and redevelopment into a shopping center, called Landings, but the plan is currently stalled.
Education
Public and private schools
Public schools in Winter Haven are operated by Polk County Public Schools.
Colleges and universities
- Polk State College (PSC)
- Ridge Technical College
Famous people
- Marcus Capers - Professional basketball player
- Rowdy Gaines - Olympic swimmer
- Andre Berto - The professional welterweight box
- Kathleen Parker - Authors and syndicated columnists
- Gram Parsons - Musicians
- Jim Stafford - Entertainer
- Lobo (musician) - Musician
- Otis Birdsong - Professional basketball player
- George Kalogridis - President of Walt Disney World Resort
Media
Winter Haven is part of Tampa/St. Pete's television market, the 13th largest in the country and part of the local Lakeland/Winter Haven radio market, is 94 of the country's largest.
Since 1911, Winter Haven News Head has served the community as a local newspaper. The Head of News also publishes Polk County Shopper and runs the polkonline.com site. In 2008, Head of News was taken over by Lakeland Ledger and operations merged into the newspaper's Winter Haven branch.
Transportation
Highway
The main routes through, to, and from Winter Haven include:
- 17 AS - The main north/south route through Winter Haven, this highway leads north to Lake Alfred where he joins US 92, and south to Bartow.
- AS 27 - This divided highway east of Winter Haven will be the main access road for Legoland Florida at its intersection with Interstate 4 in the north.
- State Road 540 - This main road passes through the South Winter Haven as Cypress Gardens Boulevard, heading west to Lakeland and Polk Parkway, by Legoland Florida in the east of the city, and east to US 27.
- State Road 542 - It cuts the heart of downtown Winter Haven as Central Avenue, and heads east directly to Dundee on US 27.
- State Road 544 - From northern Winter Haven, SR 544 connects west to Auburndale, hence its name, Havendale Boulevard, and leads a scenic route eastward to Haines City.
The streets in downtown Winter Haven are arranged in a grid plan. 1st Street (SR 549) is a north-south axis, with two sets of parallel walking numbers - one to the east (eg 7th St. NE/SE), and one to the west (eg 6th St. NW/SW). Central Avenue (SR 542) is the west-east axis, with two sets of letter paths also running parallel on both sides.
Public Transit
Local commuter bus services are provided by Winter Haven Area Transit and Citrus Connection.
Air Freight
Gilbert Airport in Winter Haven and adjacent Jack Browns Seaplane aircraft are 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of the main business district.
Intercity Relations
Winter Haven has an Amtrak train station serviced by Silver Star and Silver Meteor.
Points of Interest
Attractions
- Legoland Florida
Healthcare
- Winter Haven Hospital
- Women's Winter Haven Hospital
- Bond Clinic
- Gessler Clinic
Your sister city
- Sambuca di Sicilia, Italy (1984), on the occasion of World Cup Water Skiing was performed at lago Arancio, in Sambuca di Sicilia, Italy. Both cities are actually involved with this sport.
See also
- List of people from Winter Haven, Florida
- Legoland Florida
- Lake Daisy (Florida)
- Camp Mack's River Resort
- River Ranch
References
External links
- The City of Winter Haven Official Website Portal style website, Government, Business, Library, Recreation, and more
- Community news Winter Haven News
- Lakeland Ledger newspaper serving Winter Haven and all Polk Regencies
- Comprehensive Statistics Data City-Data.com and more about Winter Haven
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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