The tower used to be awesome. According to records, it opened in 1961 as a 240 foot tall…read moreobservation tower. It was possible to get to the top and have unparalleled 40 mile panoramic views of Highlands County and Central Florida. The dream of Earnest Oakley Hunt and Robert Gray, it is constructed of 100,000 concrete blocks which made it the tallest concrete block structure in the world at the time. In the late 1960s, the tower's name was changed to "The Happiness Tower" in order to lure people in, claiming visitors a state of bliss when looking out from the top of the tower. And at the same time, it was renamed the "Tower of Peace." The last owner to operate the tower as a tourist attraction owned it from 1992 until its closure in 2003. It is absolutely not open to the public. It's mostly abandoned though it functions as a cell phone tower. I'd have paid $10 or so for the view from the top. Bummer. [Review 455 of 2025 - 2098 in Florida - 24017 overall]

The Lake Placid Tower is a closed and abandoned gem of a bygone era. It completed in 1960 and…read moreopened in 1961. It closed in 2003 and continued life as a cell tower until 2019. It was abandoned in 2019. There are hopes that it might reopen but it's not likely it will. It retains a semblance of its original beauty but the structures at the base are in sad condition and are deteriorating. Since the tower is abandoned, I won't go into further detail but urge you to read Ariel W's review from 3 years ago for further information.

On a small hill overlooking the Historical Society Depot Museum, I spotted this memorial plaque and…read moreI had to know more about it. Lastinger Memorial Park is dedicated to Joshua and Louisa Lastinger the first white settlers of Lake Placid who have left a lasting impact on the city to this day. This memorial was dedicated on August 29, 1987. Joshua was a Confederate veteran of the Civil War. He married Louisa Bowden Lastinger in 1870 in Lowndes County, Georgia. The couple had their first child two years later, and by 1880 they were living in Hernando County. While on a hunting trip, Joshua discovered the lake-covered south end of the Lake Wales Ridge. He became determined to make a home there. The family packed their belongings and traveled by ox cart over three days to their new home. The settled on the northeastern shore of Lake Sterns in 1890. Over the next several weeks Joshua, Louisa, and their five daughters began clearing and cultivating the land. This area was later renamed Lake June-in-Winter in the 1920's. The federal government officially grant the Lastinger's land patent, consisting of 131 acres, in 1897. Joshua Lastinger became the first carpenter and they were the first settlers to cultivate citrus. Daughter Laura was the first school teacher. When the train came to town in 1916, it passed right through the Lastinger property. Joshua donated the right of way to the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. By the 1920 Census, it was reported that 307 people lived in the town, just 10 years later the number grew to 819 people. Joshua and Louisa Lastinger passed away in 1931. They left behind nine children and there are many grandchildren still in the area today. In addition to the memorial there is a bench and landscaping in the small park.

Along US-98, the Lorida School House in Lorida, Florida, is a preserved historic rural school…read morebuilding dating back to 1925 and rebuilt in 1934. It quickly became the center of community life. Beyond teaching grades one through eight, it hosted church services, socials, elections, and holiday events. During the Depression, the outdoor canning kitchen behind the school was vital, giving families a place to preserve food together. The marker reads, "The first school house in the Lorida community, the Sunnyland School, was built on this site in 1925. A 1933 hurricane destroyed the school, and the Civilian Conservation Corps rebuilt it using the original plans and identical materials. The school reopened from April 1934 until early 1956 for grades one through eight, and later kindergarten. The Rev. Joseph Reish was the principal and his wife, Margaret, was a teacher. The school term was six months long with four teachers and about 80 students. During the Great Depression, an outdoor community canning kitchen was built behind the school house. This four-room vernacular school house was built of cedar and pine on a brick pier foundation. It exhibits a low-pitched hip roof with exposed clipped rafter ends, and was covered with diamond-shaped, tin shingles. The floors are varnished wood with a recessed front entrance. The building has remained essentially unchanged. The community restored the school house in 1976 as a project for the United States Bicentennial. Over the years, it served as a place for the community to gather for a variety of purposes and represents one of the few remaining rural school houses in Florida." Its cedar and pine construction, diamond tin shingles, and varnished floors reflect both durability and simplicity. Students often helped maintain the building, and the short school term matched the rhythms of farm life. After closing in the 1950s, the school continued as a gathering place until its restoration in 1976. Today, it stands largely unchanged, a rare surviving rural schoolhouse that embodies both education and community resilience in small-town Florida. [Review 1456 of 2025 - 2140 in Florida - 25009 overall]

I was in Frostproof for the 30 Mile Scenic Highway Yard Sale, In search of a boost of caffeine I…read morestumbled on Mister Chris' Coffee Gallery which is located in the historic Atlantic Coast Line Train Depot in downtown Frostproof. The railroad came to town in 1911 and the station was built in 1912. The railroad helped to transport citrus from farmers all across the Lake Wales Ridge. To care for this restored landmark Mister Chris roasts coffee from around the world and ships it across the Continental United States. Today the depot is in the two acre Freedom Station Park. The park is a venue that can be rented and it also stages events such as Wall Street Market in Freedom Station Park and the "Mister Chris' Community Campfire series. This unique coffee shop combines history, music, art, and coffee, all the things I love. As you sip your coffee there are six rooms to explore: Hall of History, the Brew Ha Ha, the Study, the Paris Cafe, the Music Room and the Workshop which is the brew bar, gift shop and entertainment area. The workshop is located in what was once the depot cargo area. Chris has a collection of teapots, Beatles memorabilia, train stuff related to the depot, antique furniture, albums, collectibles, art, and on and on. I put my coffee down in a table and was startled to see a fish swimming under it. I didn't realize it was a fish tank table. There are surprises around every corner. Mr. Chris is a trusting soul. Coming from South Florida I couldn't believe he leaves all of his things out for people to look through and enjoy. This is such a wonderful business. I would come here every day if I could.

Such a great place! Loved the decor and atmosphere. There was live entertainment tonight and she…read morewas pretty good. We only had a cup of coffee which was good. I look forward to returning the next time I visit Frostproof.

Beautiful state capital building in the city if Albany . Can't enter but architure is very nice !…read moreWould love to have a tour! I believe it was built with Rockefeller money

Jim & family were absolutely amazing. This camp more than suited the needs of our group and we had…read morean amazing time!!

Our youth team at my local Church recently stayed at Camp Sparta and what a lovely place, ambience…read moreand staff. Everyone enjoyed the cabins, outdoor activities and food was amazing. Thank you for being such a blessing to the community.

I have moved a couple times within a year, having to update my new bank (which is Bank of America)…read morewithin 10 days and my SS ckg was almost immediately! Praise the Lord. There IS a Lord!

It's never fun to plan a trip to Social Security, but if you cooperate with the new appointment…read moresystem, you get through in good time. I've observed the officer on duty to be professional and helpful, even when dealing with emotional clients. The staff has always been efficient & friendly in solving my concerns.

The older lady who helped us was very, very nice! They have an entire room dedicated to the…read moredifferent murals around Lake Placid. At the same time, they have no other information on the other arts of Lake Placid -- nothing about the paintings of birds on plaques by Jayne Ford, nor the ceramic tiles with caladium leaves, nor any info on who is creating the painted trash cans. Neither could they get us on their WiFi network for us to research these things on our own. There is room for improvement, but they are definitely doing a great job here.