City Of Lakeland, Fl - Government issued the following announcement on Jul 08.
Lakeland History & Culture Center: Wilsonian Apartments
As Lakeland’s population boomed during the 1920s, construction of multiple family residential spaces became popular rentals. Located on the shores of Lake Morton, the Wilsonian Apartment Building opened for residents in 1922. Designed by Tampa architect, Baynard Clayton Bonfoey, who designed a number of houses and government buildings throughout central Florida, such as Tampa’s City Hall. The two-story, with a distinctive U-shaped structure with a Mediterranean style and stucco exterior, soon became a landmark for aerials of the city. Plans called for a total of sixteen units – eight with two rooms and eight with three rooms. Each apartment contained built in beds (Murphy style), Pullman type kitchenettes, and a sleeping porch.
The original owner of the structure was local physician, Dr. Crawford Clayton Wilson, hence the naming of the building “Wilsonian.” His family became one of the first residents to live there along with bankers, traveling salesmen, business managers, and a funeral director. Wilson came to Florida in 1910 and to Lakeland in 1917, where he established a practice as a surgeon and physician. His specialty involved electrotherapy for morphine addiction.
Rentals were procured through William L. King president of King Bond and Mortgage Co. King also managed an insurance company. He initially moved to Lakeland to work with the railroad as Chief Clerk. Seeing the increased need for housing, he successfully switched to the real estate field.
Standing now for over a century, the Wilsonian is part of Lakeland's Historic Preservation in the Lake Morton Historic District.
Learn more about the Lakeland History & Culture Center coming soon to the Lakeland Public Library at LakelandGov.net/CultureCenter!
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