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

Munn Park Historic District

Photographed by AGS Media, December 22, 2011

1. Munn Park Historic District Marker

Inscription. The Munn Park Historic District contains the area's largest concentration of early commercial buildings and public spaces. The development of the district spans the entire history of Lakeland with the first major settlement beginning in 1885. The District was recognized by the City of Lakeland July 7, 1980 and on April 7, 1983 became a registered historic district certified by the State of Florida and the United States Government.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1665.

Location. 28° 2.676′ N, 81° 57.365′ W. Marker is in Lakeland, Florida, in Polk County. It is on North Tennessee Avenue north of East Main Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located at Munn Park, a city park in downtown Lakeland. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 East Main Street, Lakeland FL 33801, 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 walking distance of this marker: Munn Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Polk Theatre and Office Building (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Munn Park Historic District (about 700 feet away); Allen Kryger (about 700 feet away); ‘Mute Swan Protecting Her Cygnets’ (about 800 feet

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away); The Oates Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Second Mass. Infantry Camp (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of the Camp of The 10th Cavalry, The “Buffalo Soldiers” (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lakeland.

More about this marker. The marker features a map of the historic district and its boundaries, including Lake Mirror. Displayed road names are Bay, Pine, Main and Lemon Streets (running east-west), and Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Iowa Avenues (running north-south). The marker faces upward (at a slant) and sits atop a column of red bricks adjacent to the sidewalk.

Regarding Munn Park Historic District. Munn Park Historic District is roughly centered around its namesake city park, which itself was named for Lakeland's founder, Abraham Munn. When the South Florida Railroad was being laid down from Kissimmee to Tampa, Munn purchased 80 acres of land along the route. Once the railroad was completed in 1884, he built a station and a hotel, then divided his acreage into commercial lots and blocks centered around this public square (named in his honor many years later by the City). Settlers came,

Photographed by AGS Media, December 22, 2011

2. Munn Park Historic District Marker

bought and built upon the lots, and the community of Lakeland was born.

The Munn Park Historic District was listed with the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 (ref #97001228). It includes 48 significant buildings and the Lake Mirror Promenade as historic Contributing Properties.

Also see . . . Munn Park Historic District page on Wikipedia. (Submitted on March 18, 2012, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida.)

Munn Park Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by AGS Media, December 22, 2011

3. Munn Park Entrance

Munn Park Historic District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by AGS Media, December 22, 2011

4. Munn Park Historic District

Photographed by AGS Media, December 22, 2011

5. Munn Park Historic District

An important property within the District is the Polk Theatre and Office Building, which is listed individually with the National Register of Historic Places.

Photographed by AGS Media, December 22, 2011

6. Munn Park Historic District

Seen here is a portion of the Lake Mirror Promenade, which is also listed individually with the National Register of Historic Places.

Photographed by Diane Murphy, June 2025

7. Munn Park Historic District Marker

Photographed by Diane Murphy, June 2025

8. Munn Park Historic District Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2012, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,759 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 18, 2012, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 7, 8. submitted on June 26, 2025, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.