Lake Alfred in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Citrus Research

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 6, 2025

1. Citrus Research Marker

Inscription.
The Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) at Lake Alfred was established in 1917 as the Citrus Experiment Station. Researchers at this facility worked alongside Florida's citrus pioneers to develop a billion-dollar industry for processed juice and fresh fruit. Station scientists made key discoveries and technological advancements pivotal to the industry's development including new citrus varieties, freeze protection methods, disease control and the invention of frozen concentrate orange juice. These innovations ensure CREC's place in history. The oldest of the University of Florida's off-campus agricultural centers, CREC grew to be the largest facility in the world devoted to a single agricultural commodity and houses the world's largest citrus library.

Erected 2010 by University of Florida.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 28° 6.089′ N, 81° 42.785′ W. Marker is in Lake Alfred, Florida, in Polk County. It is on Experiment Station Road 0.1 miles north of Old Haines City/Lake Alfred Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 Experiment Station Rd, Lake Alfred FL 33850, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fruitlands Institute (approx. 0.3 miles away); Frank C. Gardner House (approx. one mile away); Fort Cummings (approx. 1.3 miles away); First Missionary Baptist Church of Winter Haven (approx. 4.3 miles away); Winter Haven (approx. 4.3 miles away); Florence Villa Training School (approx. 4½ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away); Winter Haven War Memorial (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Alfred.

Also see . . . Citrus Research and Education. (Submitted on March 9, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 6, 2025

2. Citrus Research Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 220 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.