Officially known as “The Chain of Lakes City,” Winter Haven, FL is considered the water skiing capital of the world. Water Skiing, fishing, swimming, or simply spending a lazy Sunday afternoon cruising the canals that link each of the 16 lakes in the chain, Winter Haven is a boater’s paradise.
Water skiing is both a sport and a business in Winter Haven and is enjoyed on many lakes. World champion barefoot skier, Ron Scarpa, operates a barefoot skiing school on the chain.
Any spot in Winter Haven is within a few steps of a freshwater lake or canal. Fishing is a serious pursuit and serious fun here.
The City’s Origins
The city’s origins date back as far as 1884, and a year later it received it’s name – thanks to Mr. P.D. Eycleshimer, one of the area’s first farmers of consequence, who dubbed it “Winter Haven” due to its pleasant climate.
The city was incorporated in 1911, and by that time was host to more than 400 residents, several banks, a band, a newspaper, a movie theater and 15 automobiles.
Winter Haven, Florida (1919)
The Florida Boom of the 1920’s brought land speculation and a marked increase in the number of new residents. In 1924, the Florida Citrus Festival was first held to pay tribute to the importance of citrus as an agricultural business in the area.
On September 6, 1930, 22-year-old George Jenkins opened the very first Publix Food Store on Fourth Street, NW on the park in downtown Winter Haven.
The photo above is of this very first Publix. This store set not only a new precedent for cleanliness and beauty, but also the Publix standard for employee relations. Walk into any Publix Supermarket today, and you will still see this tradition alive – it’s a true testament to the spirit of our area.
Tourism in Winter Haven Leads to Growth
In 1936, tourism became an economic mainstay as Dick and Julie Pope opened Cypress Gardens — and the eyes of the world — to the beauty of Winter Haven. Winter Haven was well on its way to becoming the beautiful, thriving town that it is today.
The black and white photo above is of Dick Pope and none other than famed movie actress Bette Davis – Mr. Pope was giving Ms. Davis the royal tour of Cypress Gardens c. 1950.
Whether it’s cruising the Chain of Lakes Canals with family, water skiing, fishing, visiting local attractions, or setting of for the short trip to Tampa or Orlando, Winter Haven, FL offers something for everyone.
What’s your favorite aspect of our fair city? I’d love to hear from you about your experiences here.
Sources used: Wikipeida, Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
Photo Credits
- Sunset Celebration – hyku on Flickr (Great local Winter Haven, FL Photographs!)
- Winter Haven, FL 1919 – libraryimages.net on Flickr
- Original 1930 Publix Grocery Store – Publix Supermarket Archives Photo Timeline
- Dick Pope and Bette Davis Touring Cypress Gardens c. 1950 – Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Blog
- Touring the Chain of Lakes Canals in Winter Haven, FL – Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Blog
About the Author
Kevin Sandridge is a Florida Home Loans Specialist who provides clients with customized, well-reasoned, home loan finance solutions. If you found this article useful, you may find more of his thoughts and insights on his Florida Mortgage Blogger blog.
I hope you found this post useful! As always, if you or anyone you know is in need of a local Florida mortgage broker, I’m your guy. Call me at 863-604-3019 or apply online for your Florida mortgage. We’ll keep you posted and let you know when it’s time to pull the trigger!
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Totally agree with your thinking and glad to read about it. Writing about history is helping us to understand better today. Go on …
Last blog post from Martin… Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Newcastle
Hi Kevin,
Water skiing is something I really loved to do every summer, but I haven’t gone to Florida. I think I will encourage my friend to visit winter haven, as there as lots of good place to visit there. By the way, you encourage me with your writing about FL. Thanks!
This is one place ive always wanted to go! Im a passionate water skier but we live on the other coast which makes it a bit difficult – especially because we have 4 children….
Thanks for the information and the photos