In 1911, the Lake Wales Land Company was formed. In June of that same year, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL) was extended from Haines City to Lake Wales, ending the relative isolation of the community by providing access to prospective settlers and an avenue to northern markets for the citrus industries and the products of the naval stores.
With confidence bolstered by the arrival of the railroad, the Lake Wales Land Company invested in the infrastructure of the town. In its first year, the town’s structure included a general store, a hotel, a turpentine still, an ice plant, and a small railroad depot. A second railroad, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL), completed construction in 1915, with its first train arriving on April 5, 1915.[6] By March of 1916, the population of Lake Wales had risen to 300 residents. Source: Lake Wales Atlantic Train Depot.
With confidence bolstered by the arrival of the railroad, the Lake Wales Land Company invested in the infrastructure of the town. In its first year, the town’s structure included a general store, a hotel, a turpentine still, an ice plant, and a small railroad depot. A second railroad, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL), completed construction in 1915, with its first train arriving on April 5, 1915.[6] By March of 1916, the population of Lake Wales had risen to 300 residents. Source: Lake Wales Atlantic Train Depot.
