Lake Wales History Museum

Created in 1976, the Lake Wales History Museum is housed in the former 1928 Atlantic Coast Line Railroad station, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is free to the public, offering self-guided tours of permanent exhibits with artifacts, images and documents in our permanent exhibit, changing exhibits, and train cars. Upon entry, visitors are given a boarding pass which identifies a specific Lake Wales pioneer to follow through their museum visit. Visitors learn about the natural history of the Lake Wales Ridge beginning with Florida’s native people to the development of Lake Wales’ railroad, industry and residents of the 20th century. Visitors can now hear over 80 stories of Lake Wales’ pioneers and history through our new audio tour launched in the summer of 2018. Guests may visit our newly restored 1926 Seaboard Air Line Railroad caboose, the 1916 office car and 1944 US Army locomotive engine.