Sometimes you are driving down the road and you see something so quirky you have to pull over…read more Things like a cemetery in the middle of a city park. When I see something like that I have to know more so here is the story of how graves came to be in Inman Park, Winter Haven. In the park is a fenced in area with a large monument flanked by the graves of Dr. Fredrick Inman (1840-1910) a former Civil War surgeon, his daughter Lillian Inman, his wife Florence and her sister Mary. The section of Winter Haven named Florence Villa takes it's name from Florence Inman. Florence Villa and Winter Haven used to be two separate towns but now they are all Winter Haven. Prior to Dr. Inman purchasing the land, it was owned by Florence's family. The couple was originally from Akron, Ohio and came to Florida in 1882 to visit the 695 acre family property in what is now present day Winter Haven. In 1887 they decided to make Florida their home on the advice of Florence's doctor who recommended a warmer climate for health. At first they camped before building their 10 room home on the shores of Lake Spring. Eventually they expanded the house to 42 rooms to accommodate all of their friends who wanted to visit. To entertain them Dr. Inman built a golf course and gave boat tours between the lakes. A train station was added to the property to make it easier to reach the house. After an economic downturn sparked by a citrus freeze the couple called the home Villa Florence and opened it to paying guests as a 49 room full time hotel until 1906. Dr. Fredrick Inman was one of the founders of the Quaker Oats Company. He also grew many different crops in the area. He planted the first citrus groves on 100 acres making him very wealthy with the sale of orange juice. He was called the father of the citrus and this area was at one time the citrus capitol of the world. In 1909 he formed the Florida Citrus Exchange. Dr. Inman was inducted into the Citrus Hall of Fame in 1962. Besides the graves there are some more typical amenities you would expect to find in a park. There is a climbing wall, paved exercise paths, a picnic pavilion, and outdoor exercise equipment. Also in the park are old oak trees. Next door to the park is the Inman Baptist Church. The not so great in the park is the belongings of homeless people shoved into different areas. Even with the homeless presence you could still safely exercise and picnic. You could easily drive by the park and never think twice about the large obelisk marking the cemetery. I am so glad i stopped to learn about the Inman's and their role as pioneers in the area. While certain areas of the park could use a clean up it is nice to see the grave site respectfully maintained.

Besides serving as a final resting places, cemetery's are also great historical resources and bird…read moresanctuaries. I discovered this cemetery while I was out exploring. Oaklawn Cemetery is located between Avenues M and O Southwest in the city of Winter Haven in Polk County Florida. This neat and well tended cemetery is dominated in the center by a large mausoleum. The mausoleum is owned and maintained by the Morris family. It is very interesting architecturally and was the first modern mausoleum in Florida. The mausoleum and cemetery is the final resting place of some of Winter Haven's earliest residents including F.A.K. Harris, the first official resident of Winter Haven who bought the first property after the town was platted in 1883. The mausoleum was constructed by the Scott Morris Mausoleum Company. The current owner of the mausoleum is a great grandson of the founder of the company. The rest of the cemetery has beautiful trees and landscaping. Graves date back to the 1800's. It is very historic and peaceful.