It was built as a passenger station by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and R.W. Burrows Construction Company in 1928 at an approximate cost of $51,000. Replacing service at the original depot, the new location was chosen to relieve traffic congestion in the downtown area. A freight room and loading platform were added in 1938.
Passenger service to Lake Wales ceased in 1954.The station continued to handle freight, which had provided the bulk of its cargo since the 1930s, until 1974 when freight service shifted to the West Lake Wales station, and trains no longer stopped at the Lake Wales depot.
Conversion to Museumedit
Spearheaded by the Bicentennial Commission, efforts began in 1974 to convert the empty building into a museum and cultural arts center for the citizens of Lake Wales.
Depot Museum Dedication
In 1976, Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Station opened as the Lake Wales Depot Museum. Now named the Lake Wales History Museum, the museum is operated by the Lake Wales History Museum, Inc. with the support of the City of Lake Wales. A model railroad layout is one of the exhibits on display.[2]
Architectureedit
The one-story masonry building exhibits elements of the Mediterranean Revival Style that characterized architectural design in Florida during the 1920s. The building was constructed of hollow tile, it's exterior walls covered with smooth stucco, and it's hip roof with boxed eaves and barrel tile surfacing. A brick chimney with an arched hood projects from the center of the roof ridge. Cross-gable extensions with curvilinear parapet ends extend from the east and west sides. The east side gable extension has a round arch entrance with a fanlight, which leads into the waiting room. The west side extension has a pair of round-arch double-hung sash windows.
The exterior of the building retains its original appearance, altered only by the addition of a freight room in 1938. Some interior modifications occurred during the station's conversion to a museum in the mid-1970s. The original ticket window may still be found in place on the east wall of the passenger waiting room. The freight room located in the rear section of the building has suffered little alteration. Notable features of the freight room include the original Y-bracket support columns, exposed ceiling beams, and plank flooring.
lake, wales, station, atlantic, coast, line, railroad, station, atlantic, coast, line, railroad, station, lake, wales, florida, august, 1990, added, national, register, historic, places, building, used, lake, wales, history, museum, atlantic, coast, line, rail. The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Station was a Atlantic Coast Line Railroad station in Lake Wales Florida On August 31 1990 it was added to the U S National Register of Historic Places The building is now used by the Lake Wales History Museum Atlantic Coast Line Railroad DepotU S National Register of Historic PlacesShow map of FloridaShow map of the United StatesLocation325 South Scenic Highway Lake Wales FloridaCoordinates27 53 49 N 81 35 01 W 27 89694 N 81 58361 W 27 89694 81 58361Built1928ArchitectR W Burrows Construction CompanyArchitectural styleMediterranean RevivalMPSLake Wales MPSNRHP reference No 90001277 1 Added to NRHPAugust 31 1990 Contents 1 History 1 1 Conversion to Museum 2 Architecture 3 References 4 External linksHistory editIt was built as a passenger station by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and R W Burrows Construction Company in 1928 at an approximate cost of 51 000 Replacing service at the original depot the new location was chosen to relieve traffic congestion in the downtown area A freight room and loading platform were added in 1938 Passenger service to Lake Wales ceased in 1954 The station continued to handle freight which had provided the bulk of its cargo since the 1930s until 1974 when freight service shifted to the West Lake Wales station and trains no longer stopped at the Lake Wales depot Conversion to Museum editSpearheaded by the Bicentennial Commission efforts began in 1974 to convert the empty building into a museum and cultural arts center for the citizens of Lake Wales nbsp Depot Museum DedicationIn 1976 Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Station opened as the Lake Wales Depot Museum Now named the Lake Wales History Museum the museum is operated by the Lake Wales History Museum Inc with the support of the City of Lake Wales A model railroad layout is one of the exhibits on display 2 Architecture editThe one story masonry building exhibits elements of the Mediterranean Revival Style that characterized architectural design in Florida during the 1920s The building was constructed of hollow tile it s exterior walls covered with smooth stucco and it s hip roof with boxed eaves and barrel tile surfacing A brick chimney with an arched hood projects from the center of the roof ridge Cross gable extensions with curvilinear parapet ends extend from the east and west sides The east side gable extension has a round arch entrance with a fanlight which leads into the waiting room The west side extension has a pair of round arch double hung sash windows The exterior of the building retains its original appearance altered only by the addition of a freight room in 1938 Some interior modifications occurred during the station s conversion to a museum in the mid 1970s The original ticket window may still be found in place on the east wall of the passenger waiting room The freight room located in the rear section of the building has suffered little alteration Notable features of the freight room include the original Y bracket support columns exposed ceiling beams and plank flooring References edit National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 Lake Wales Model Railroad Club Archived from the original on 2009 11 19 Retrieved 2009 07 02 Preceding station Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Following stationMountain Laketoward Haines City Haines City Everglades City Highland Parktoward Everglades CityExternal links editPolk County listings at National Register of Historic Places Florida s Office of Cultural and Historical Programs Polk County listings The Depot Lake Wales Museum and Cultural Center nbsp Media related to Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot Lake Wales Florida at Wikimedia Commons Lake Wales History Museum official site nbsp This article about a property in Polk County Florida on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte nbsp This Florida museum related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte nbsp nbsp This Florida train station related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lake Wales station amp oldid 1182963004, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
