18, 18, 1885. We might not be as musical as Bowling For Soup, but we share a similar passion for remembering the good ol’ days, throwing it all the way back to the Lakeland of yesteryear.

Keep reading for pivotal historic moments in Lakeland’s former eras.

1885-1900 | Lakeland’s incorporation, the railroad industry, and explosive growth

Lakeland’s founder, Abraham Munn, purchased 80 acres of land in 1882 that would one day become downtown Lakeland. Prior to incorporating Lakeland, Abraham moved from his birthplace in New Jersey to Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked in agriculture.

In 1884, Munn persuaded officials at Henry Plant’s South Florida Railroad to make Lakeland a stop. At his own expense, Munn provided a railroad station, amenities, and adjacent plots of land to the railroad in an effort to give Lakeland a permanent presence on central Florida’s map.

Lakeland rang in the new year by becoming an official town on Jan. 1, 1885. People flocked to the town that Munn claimed was “beautifully laid out… and very desirable for a winter home.”

With the growing population came the development of The Tremont Hotel in 1885 (located on the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Main Street) with an average of 25 trains passing through the subdivision daily.

Within 14 years of its founding, Lakeland had become Florida's third-largest city, behind Tampa and Jacksonville.

Lakeland’s first railroad station, circa 1884 | Photo via Florida Memory

1900-1915 | Elections, hospitals, and modern hotels

The early 1900s were marked by major developments, ranging from the construction of Lakeland’s first fire department (1908) to the start of construction on its first hospital (1915). The Federal Building, which served as Lakeland’s first stand-alone post office, was built in 1917. The city's first mayoral election took place in 1901.

As Lakeland grew, so did its taste for modern pleasures. Although the Tremont Hotel boasted Lakeland’s first bathtubs, Hotel Thelma was built just down the street on Nov. 10, 1913. Known as Lakeland’s first modern hotel, Hotel Thelma was a gathering place for cultural and civic organizations. Now, it's the site of Frescos Southern Kitchen & Bar.

The Marble Arcade building (left) and Hotel Thelma (right) circa 1952 | Photo via Florida Memory

1915-1930 | Historic structures, Presidential visits, and Publix

From 1920 to 1925, Florida's population increased by 30%. Known as the Florida land boom, this event led to the construction of some of Lakeland’s most iconic structures, including the Terrace Hotel (1924) and the Palace Theater (1925).

The Marble Arcade, c. 1900 | Photo via Florida Memory

In 1926, the Marble Arcade, also known as Lakeland’s first “cloud scraper,” was constructed. The building is now owned by MidFlorida Credit Union, but back in the day, it was the only high-rise office building, designed to accommodate Lakeland’s growing industries.

Finally, in 1930, the first Publix supermarket, then named “The Publix Food Store,” opened in Winter Haven, and Lakelanders got their first taste of shopping where it’s a pleasure.

The first Publix Food Store in Winter Haven | Photo via Florida Memory

Later that year, the New Florida Hotel (now the Lake Mirror Tower Apartments) was built. Months later, Lakeland’s first public library, the Park Trammell Building, was built on Lake Morton Drive in 1927. In 1929, President Calvin Coolidge became the second US President to visit Swan City.

1931-1945 | Beach pavilion closes, Publix expands, and WWII cadets take flight

Lakeland saw growth in smaller communities, tourism, and air transportation in the early to mid-1930s. In 1937, the Lakeland Municipal Airport brought the first commercial airline service and training grounds for WWII cadets to what is now known as Tiger Town.

That same year, the Francis Beach Pavilion was torn down after 20+ years of entertaining residents on Lake Hollingsworth’s shores.

The Francis Beach Pavilion on Lake Hollingsworth offered boating, dancing, and swimming | Photo via Florida Memory

In 1945, George Jenkins purchased the Lakeland Grocery Company, Lakeland’s primary grocery provider, and Lakeland was dubbed the headquarters for Publix supermarkets.

That same year also brought the closure of the Lodwick School of Aeronautics, which had made significant contributions to the war effort during WWII. The air station was later renovated to be the new spring training clubhouse for the Detroit Tigers.

1946-1960 | Silvermoon Drive-In opens, Elvis performs, and royal swans arrive

Construction of the Charles Larsen Power Plant began in 1947, and it started operating in 1950.

One of Lakeland’s most iconic structures arrived in 1948 when the Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre opened. Fun fact: Tickets were 35 cents on opening day.

In 1950, Publix opened a 125,000-sqft warehouse and office complex. The building was lauded as the most modern structure of its kind nationwide for its Art Deco-inspired design and hyper-efficient warehouse space.

Lakeland started to catch the eye of big names in 1956 and 1957 — that’s when Elvis performed at Polk Theatre and Queen Elizabeth sent royal swans to Lake Morton, respectively.

DJ, Bill, and Elvis at the Polk Theater, 1956 | Photo by Jerry Perkins courtesy Laura Milton, Polk Theater

Lakeland closed out the 1950s with a modernized hospital. Formerly known as Morrell Memorial Hospital, the structure was replaced by a new facility and given a new name: Lakeland General Hospital.

Lakeland General Hospital circa 1967 | Photo via Florida Memory

1961-1969 | Nathan’s Men’s Store, Southside Cleaners, and the Florida Retirement Residence Hotel

Nathan’s Men’s Store made the corner of Main Street and Kentucky Avenue its home in 1961 after nearly 20 years in business. It would operate there until its 2020 closure, after nearly 80 years of serving “dads and lads.” Now, the site is home to Crews Bank & Trust and Banquet61.

Nathan’s Men’s Store stood on Main St. + Kentucky Ave. until 2020 | Image via Lakeland Public Library

The Southside Cleaner’s sign, known for its witty sayings and inspiring quotes, went up at the intersection of Florida Avenue + Cresap Street in 1962 after the Myers family opened their dry cleaning operation. Marge Myers, the family matriarch, penned many of the sayings and oversaw the sign until her death in 2015. Today, it’s still a noteworthy part of many Lakelanders’ commutes.

The New Florida Hotel (left) alongside The Terrace Hotel (right), c. 1959 | Photo via Florida Memory

Roughly 30 years after being built, the New Florida Hotel was converted into a senior living facility and dubbed the Florida Retirement Residence Hotel. Today it’s known as the Lake Mirror Tower Apartments.

Just down the street, Munn Park was also being renovated to include new paths, covered pergolas, and landscaping in 1964.

Munn Park after renovations in 1964 | Photo via Lakeland Public Library

Pub sub fans, this one’s for you. In 1967, Publix renamed its meat and cheese department to The Delicatessen. While this rebrand might not seem like history in the making, it would lead to the addition of grab-and-go hot meals and sub sandwiches, which have changed our beach days forever.

Now here's a fashion show we would buy tickets for. | Photo via Lakeland Public Library

Lakeland wrapped up the 1960s in style. A 1969 fashion show hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce showed off the digs of the decade, and we’d be lying if we said we didn’t wish we were there.

1970-1979 | Mayfaire, time capsules, and Lakeland's snowy day

The 1970s were marked by the prioritization of community initiatives, like revitalizing downtown Lakeland’s buildings, parks, and landscaping. In 1971, the Doodlebug, a self-propelled railroad car, stopped serving Lakeland after 30+ years of providing passenger and mail service.

Dr. John S. Jackson became Lakeland’s first Black mayor in 1972. Prior to the historic election, Dr. Jackson was also Lakeland’s first Black surgeon + city commissioner. Later that year, Mayfaire by-the-Lake began as a small craft fair. At its inception, the annual arts festival (now one of the largest outdoor art festivals in the state) was hosted on the Lakeland Public Library’s front lawn, facing Lake Morton.

The Lakeland Civic Center, now RP Funding Center, circa 1992. | Photo via Florida Memory

Speaking of the arts, what is now known as the Lakeland Community Theatre (121 S. Lake Ave.) was once the Lake Mirror Center (and later the Lakeland Civic Center). In 1974, the City of Lakeland opened the Lakeland Center (now known as the RP Funding Center) at 701 W. Lime St. The original Lake Mirror facility was preserved to host community theater performances, while the Lime Street property was designed for large-scale concerts and gatherings.

Just two years later, Elvis Presley returned to Swan City to perform at the new venue on Sept. 4, 1976, but The King's show wasn’t the only historic event to happen there that year. Just a few months earlier, a time capsule was buried near Gate 6 and marked with a statue called “Infinity” by sculptor Al Kriston. It’s set to be opened on July 4, 2076.

Snow also fell in 1982 — here's influential Lakelander Willy Wolfson enjoying a rare Swan City snow day. | Photo via Lakeland Public Library

Lakelanders rang in the new year of 1977 with a rather unique experience — at least, at this latitude. On Jan. 19, 1977, Swan City enjoyed a few inches of snow. The following year, the Kress Building on Kentucky Avenue, originally a five-and-dime store, closed. It would reopen 20 years later, in 1998, when it was purchased by the Explorations V Children’s Museum, now the Florida Children’s Museum.

In 1979, Historic Lakeland Inc. was incorporated, and it continues to help preserve many of the places mentioned here. Pro tip: Check out its gallery of Lakeland’s historic landmarks.

That's just the first 100 years of Lakeland history. Did we miss your favorite moment? Share your memory with us.