Lakeland, FL

Lakeland is a city located in Polk County, Florida. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 73,527. Lakeland is the principal city of the Lakeland- Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a population of 269,887 as of the 2010 census.

The city was founded in 1887 by George E. Merrick and John W. Davis on land purchased from John Wesley Frost. The first business was a general store opened by Davis and Merrick. In 1892, J.W. Pennington built what is now known as Pennington's Drug Store (still open). It was later bought by Toots Shor and operated as his pharmacy until 1987 when it closed due to declining sales and changing demographics in downtown Lakeland.

In 1895, A.G. Spalding & Bros., builders and developers of downtown Lakeland began construction on what would become one of the most recognizable buildings in Polk County - The Spalding Building (originally called The Florida Building). Completed that year at a cost of $100,000 ($2 million today), it was Lakeland's first skyscraper and remains one of its most prominent commercial properties today with over 100 years of history behind it

In 1902, Jens Jensen opened Jensen's Department Store on South Ullman Avenue (now Macy's at Ullman Square). It became one of Central Florida's leading department stores for over 60 years before closing in 1997 due to competition from larger regional chains such as Sears and Kmart which had begun opening stores closer to home during the late 1970s/early 1980s recession . Today only Macy's remains on Ullman Square

In 1905 C&S Wholesale Grocery opened on East State Street (now Home Depot) becoming one of Polk County's earliest grocery stores . Today it is an Ace Hardware store In 1907 A&P Grocery opened next door also becoming one Polk County’s earliest grocery stores . Today it is an Albertsons store In 1913 White Front Drugstore opened at 212 North Michigan Avenue becoming one Polk County’s earliest drugstores . It remained open until 1988 when it closed due to increased competition from chain pharmacies such as Walgreens which had begun opening throughout central Florida during the late 1970s/early 1980s recession . Today only CVS Pharmacy remains on Michigan Avenue In 1916 The Bank Of America building was completed at 210 North Michigan Avenue becoming Lakeland’s first skyscraper . It remained open until 1990 when it closed due to increasing competition from chain banks such as Citibank which had begun opening throughout central Florida during the late 1970s/early 1980s recession . Today only Wells Fargo Bank remains on Michigan Avenue In 1923 The Sentinel Building was completed at 216 North Michigan Avenue becoming Lakeland’s second skyscraper after The Bank Of America building . It remained open until 1993 when it closed due to increasing competition from chain hotels such as Marriott which had begun opening throughout central Florida during the late 1970s/early 1980s recession . Today only Best Western Plus Hotel remains on Michigan Avenue