Designed to offer totally unique opportunities for artistic, cultural, personal and spiritual experiences, Bok Tower Gardens have become one of the top destinations in central Florida. Located atop Iron Mountain in Lake Wales, the landmark highlights what it can mean when a vision to transform a space physically and conceptually is able to attract the attention of audiences across the eras.
“The Most Beautiful Tower in the World”
Edward Bok came to the United States from the Netherlands when he was a small child in the mid-1800s. He became a Pulitzer Prize-winning author as well as a respected humanitarian and an advocate of world peace. After spending the winter of 1921 near Lake Wales Ridge in Florida, he purchased land in the area and created a 25 acre bird sanctuary on the ridge’s highest hill to protect the land from being developed.
Bok would eventually hire architect Milton B. Medary to design “the most beautiful tower in the world.” The iconic Singing Tower was interpreted by Medary as an opportunity to adapt a traditional Gothic design and incorporate the unique elements that represented Florida’s nature. Much of this history is detailed in the Visitor’s Center, along with various other pieces of history from the construction of the site.
Bok was buried in front of the tower’s Great Brass Door. This Gothic Revival tower defines the space and is a landmark in its own right, being referred to the “American Taj Mahal.” However, it is just one of the attractions that can be experienced across Bok Tower Gardens.
Events and Experiences
The historic landscape gardens allow audiences to experience the serene settings of the area in countless ways. The 3.5-mile Pine Ridge Preserve hiking trail allows people to traverse the area while the Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden teaches conservation and the vital connections between people and nature. The Endangered Plant Garden and the Window by the Pond allow audiences to have a unique experience with each space. These spaces as well as the 1929 Dedication Monument are just a few of the numerous attractions located across Bok Tower Gardens.
The Oval features a variety of events throughout the year, ranging from Carillon Concerts to Fall Walking Tours to Yoga for Everybody. A calendar of events highlights the many different activities that take place throughout Bok Tower Gardens. Weddings and other special events can be arranged for set fees but they’re just one source of direct revenue for stakeholders.
An admission fee is charged to enter Bok Tower Gardens with annual passes and memberships also available for purchase. The Visitor Center has numerous items for sale, which can also be purchased online. The Blue Palmetto Cafe has a full menu of food and specially curated wines.
Featured on countless maps and guides to the central Floria region and even the entire state, Bok Tower Gardens have been referred to as one of the most remarkable attractions in Central Florida. This impact was enabled by a vision that continues to define the experiences that audiences can have across the entire space, all of which continue to meaningfully change and evolve for both residents and visitors.
A Vision of Legacy and Connection
Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark, further highlighting the generational impact on the area that it represents. What began as an effort to create a bird sanctuary on the ridge of a hill was transformed into a vision of legacy and connection that has enabled it to become something much more, creating attention and activity in a space that might otherwise remain empty or bland.
