Lakeland in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Frank Lloyd Wright Campus of Florida Southern College
Photographed By Julie Szabo, November 15, 2008
1. The Frank Lloyd Wright Campus of Florida Southern College Marker
Inscription.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Campus of Florida Southern College. . At Florida Southern College is located the largest collection of buildings on one site ever created by Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America's foremost architects. Wright's plan for the campus is the only tangible example of his community planning ideas, termed "Organic Architecture." His concept was to decentralize the city by distributing urban functions to rural areas and to utilize new technologies in the building trades. Wright's involvement at the campus was the result of urgings from Ludd M. Spivey, then president of the college. Wright insisted that the college's individual buildings reflect their environment through the use of "native materials all universally adapted to the uses of young life." Eighteen buildings, only seven of which were completed, were planned for the campus. The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, begun in 1938, was the first to be built, and the Polk Science Building, completed in 1959 during the presidency of Charles T. Thrift Jr., was the last. Later buildings on the campus were designed by Nils Schweizer, an eminent Florida architect and student of Wright. The Florida Southern college Architectural District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
At Florida Southern College is located the largest collection of buildings on one site ever created by Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America's foremost architects. Wright's plan for the campus is the only tangible example of his community planning ideas, termed "Organic Architecture." His concept was to decentralize the city by distributing urban functions to rural areas and to utilize new technologies in the building trades. Wright's involvement at the campus was the result of urgings from Ludd M. Spivey, then president of the college. Wright insisted that the college's individual buildings reflect their environment through the use of "native materials all universally adapted to the uses of young life." Eighteen buildings, only seven of which were completed, were planned for the campus. The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, begun in 1938, was the first to be built, and the Polk Science Building, completed in 1959 during the presidency of Charles T. Thrift Jr., was the last. Later buildings on the campus were designed by Nils Schweizer, an eminent Florida architect and student of Wright. The Florida Southern college Architectural District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Erected 1976 by Florida Southern College in cooperation with Department of State. (Marker Number F-275.)
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 28° 1.913′ N, 81° 56.968′ W. Marker is in Lakeland, Florida, in Polk County. Marker is at the intersection of Johnson Avenue and McDonald Street, on the right when traveling north on Johnson Avenue. Northwest corner of campus. Walking tour brochures located just to the west of the marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland FL 33801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding The Frank Lloyd Wright Campus of Florida Southern College. Wright was 91 years old when his last building, the Polk Science
Photographed By Julie Szabo, November 15, 2008
2. Facing West
Building, was completed.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This is a Frank Lloyd Wright marker with links to other markers relating to the architect.
Additional commentary. 1. Florida Southern College Architectural District The Florida Southern College Architectural District was officially named a National Historic Landmark District by the U.S. National Park Service on March 2, 2012. This was an elevation from its earlier status (National Historic District), which it received in 1975. The District is now one of two National Historic Landmarks located in Polk County, and it joins four other NHL Districts in the state of Florida.
— Submitted May 19, 2012, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida.
Photographed By Julie Szabo, November 15, 2008
3. Facing northeast, toward the Emile E. Watson-Benjamin Fine Administration Buildings
Photographed By Julie Szabo, November 15, 2008
4. The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel
Photographed By Julie Szabo, November 15, 2008
5. Campus View
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,665 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 17, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.