The Frances Langford Promenade (also known as the First Civic Center and the Lake Mirror Promenade) is a historic site in Lakeland,

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, a ...

. It is located between Lemon Street and Lake Mirror Drive. On January 27, 1983, it was added to the

U.S. The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territor ...

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artist ...

. The project was built in two phases and completed in 1928.

Charles Wellford Leavitt Charles Wellford Leavitt (1871–1928) was an American landscape architect, urban planner, and civil engineer who designed everything from elaborate gardens on Long Island, New York and New Jersey estates to federal parks in Cuba, hotels in P ...

of New York was the designer. In 1946, the city of Lakeland dedicated the promenade to Lakeland native

Frances Langford Julia Frances Newbern-Langford (April 4, 1913 – July 11, 2005) was an American singer and actress who was popular during the Golden Age of Radio and made film and television appearances for over two decades. She was known as the "GI Nighting ...

for her work with the

United Service Organizations The United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) is an American nonprofit-charitable corporation that provides live entertainment, such as comedians, actors and musicians, social facilities, and other programs to members of the United States Armed F ...

and her music and acting career. In 2013, the city re-dedicated the promenade and installed a new marker.Toothman, Mary. ''The Ledger'', November 5, 2013

References

External links

Lakeland's No. 1 Sweetheart -- Frances Langford, Sep. 8, 1982

The Ledger ''The Ledger'' is a daily newspaper serving Lakeland, Florida Lakeland is the most populous city in Polk County, Florida, part of the Tampa Bay Area, located along Interstate 4 east of Tampa. According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau release ...

Actress, Singer Frances Langford's Name Returning to Lakeland Landmark, March 31, 2013

Lakeland Promenade Will Get a New Frances Langford Sign Friday, November 5, 2013

Polk County listings
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National Register of Historic Places

Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs
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Polk County listings
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Lake Mirror Promenade
Buildings and structures in Lakeland, Florida National Register of Historic Places in Polk County, Florida {{PolkCountyFL-NRHP-stub