Lake Wales Among 17 Cities with Walking Tour

A 12-stop walking tour of Lake Wales is included in a free mobile application produced by the Florida Humanities Council. The Florida Stories application can be downloaded at the Apple Store or Google Play.

The Lake Wales tour includes stops at the Atlantic Coast Line Depot, the Woman's Club, Lake Wales State Bank, J.T. Rhodes Building, Rhodesbilt Arcade, Post Office, Dixie Walesbilt Hotel, Lake Wales News, Bullard Building, Scenic Theater and Lake Wales City Hall.

Each stop includes photos, a narrated description of the site's history and a map to the next tour location.

Twenty-six downloadable walking tours are included in the free application. In addition to Lake Wales, Bartow is the only other city in Polk County featured in Florida Stories.

"Packed with photos and intriguing details, 'Florida Stories' will open your eyes to many of Florida's cities and towns in a way you've never experienced before," according to the Florida Humanities Council promotion of the free app. "As you stroll through the streets, listen to the lively and colorful stories abut these unique communities."

The Council notes each tur aims to offer engaging historical content that highlights Florida's uniqueness.

Other tours include The Hill in Apalachicola, Boca Grande, DeLand, Eau Gallie, Fernandina Beach, Flagler College, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce, Lincoln Park area of Fort Pierce, Islamorada, Key West, Ormond Beach Pensacola, Safety Harbor, St. Andrews, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, Tarpon Springs, Virginia Key Beach and Ybor City. The app also includes four tours in St. Augustine – Colonial Tour, Gilded Age, Lincolnville and South of the Plaza.

The Florida Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment of the Humanities. Its mission is to build strong communities and informed citizens by providing Floridians with the opportunity to explore the state's heritage, traditions and human stories. Funding for the Florida Humanities Council comes from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs and private donations.