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

The Mountain Lake Sanctuary

Photographed by Michael Cece

1. The Mountain Lake Sanctuary Marker

Inscription. The sanctuary is owned by the American Foundation, a non-profit corporation created and endowed by Edward Bok to hold title to the sanctuary and singing tower and to maintain them. Mr. Bok bought the property, planted it, built the tower and presented the sanctuary to the American people for visitation. It was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge on February 1, 1929.

The sanctuary is under the protection of the public.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is February 1, 1929.

Location. 27° 56.355′ N, 81° 34.687′ W. Marker is in Lake Wales, Florida, in Polk County. It can be reached from Mountain Lake. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 Mountain Lk, Lake Wales FL 33853, 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 markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: E.C. Stuart Park / The Historic Corridor (approx. 2.1 miles away); Crystal Lake / Allen Carleton Nydegger (approx. 2½ miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 2.7 miles away); Cannon from the USS Constitution (approx. 2.8 miles away); Lake Wales Depot (approx. 2.9 miles away); Church of the Holy Spirit (approx. 3.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial

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(approx. 3.4 miles away); The Railroad in Dundee History (approx. 6.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Wales.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Indian Trails (was approx. 1.9 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2025, by Michael Cece of Sarasota, Florida. This page has been viewed 72 times since then and 33 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 19, 2025, by Michael Cece of Sarasota, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?